Vein of Galen abnormality

Vein of Galen abnormality is a rare congenital malformation of blood vessels of the brain and while often referred to as “Vein of Galen aneurysm” its is really not an aneurysm but usually an arteriovenous (AV) malformation. The following case report will be of interest to sonographers as it demonstrates early prenatal diagnosis of this intracranial vascular abnormality causing cardiac overload and subsequent cardiac failure. Diagnosis of the AV malformation can be graphically demonstrated using colour Doppler or 3D colour power angiography.