Heron Werner, MD & Pedro Daltro, MD
ClÃnica de Diagnóstico por Imagem (CDPI) & Instituto Fernandes Figueira (IFF) – FIOCRUZRio de Janeiro – Brazil
Dorothy I. Bulas M.D.
Professor of Radiology and Pediatrics
Children's National Medical Center
George Washington University Medical Center
111 Michigan Ave, NW,  Washington D.C. 20010
Galen’s veins malformation is a heterogeneous group of anomalies characterized by dilatation of the venous structures of the galenic system and anomalous arteriovenous communication at the middle line. The Galen’s vein is dilated and communicates with arteries with normal aspect. The malformation is isolated in most cases. The main differential diagnosis is performed with arachnoid cyst. It is though necessary to use color Doppler in every central intracranial cystic structure of unknown origin. The main associations are: cardiac malformation, cystic hygroma and hydrops. The chief ultrasound and MRI findings are listed on tables 1 and 2.
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Table 1: Ultrasonographic findings
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- hypo echoic image posterior to third ventricle;there might be obstructive hydrocephalus;Doppler with turbulent and bidirectional flux.
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Table 2: Magnetic Resonance findings
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- expansive lesion with heterogeneous signal, predominantly hypo intense on all sequences because of flux turbulence;parenchymal alterations associated with hemorrhage secondary to thrombosis;dilatation of adjacent venous and arterial structures;hydrocephalus.
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