Vein of Galen malformation (VOGM) | Boston Children's Hospital

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Vein of Galen malformation (VOGM) is a type of arteriovenous fistula (AVF), a rare blood vessel abnormality in which arteries connect directly with veins, bypassing the capillaries. VOGM involves a large vein deep in the brain and is formed during early prenatal development.
VOGM is often noticed on a prenatal ultrasound late in pregnancy, and in other cases is diagnosed after birth. Symptoms may include:
heart failure, often within the first day or two of life
increased head circumference, resulting from hydrocephalus
unusually prominent veins on the face and scalp
failure to meet developmental milestones
persistent headache
in very rare cases, a bleed in the brain
VOGM can result in severe neurologic problems and may even be life-threatening if not diagnosed and treated early. When treated, however, the majority of children go on to live active and full lives.
How we care for Vein of Galen Malformation at Boston Children’s Hospital
The Cerebrovascular Surgery and Interventions Center is one of the few pediatric centers in the world that specializes in treating VOGMs. Our safety record is unparalleled, and we use minimally invasive, catheter-based procedures in most cases. To ensure treatment success, we have pioneered the practice of performing an additional angiogram before waking patients from anesthesia.
We bring together an unusually large number of specialties to care for your child, matched by few other hospitals. They include pediatric specialists in vascular anomalies, neonatal intensive care, cardiology, neurology, neuroanesthesiology, neurointerventional radiology and neurosurgery, as well as staff in our medical-surgical intensive care unit, whose expertise is critical in ensuring the best outcomes.
Our physicians work closely and attend weekly conferences with the Vascular Anomalies Center at Boston Children’s. Through active research, we are constantly exploring methods to make a more precise diagnosis of VOGM and seeking new treatments aimed at safeguarding normal blood flow to the brain while minimizing flow through the VOGM itself.
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