Congenital vascular lesions in children include aneurysms, vascular malformations such as cavernous angiomas and arteriovenous malformations, Moyamoya disease, and Vein of Galen malformations. These lesions cause various problems which vary in their degree of severity, depending upon several factors including the size, type and location of the lesion. We work with a team of pediatric specialists that includes neurology, interventional neuroradiology, gamma knife specialists, and pediatric anesthesiology to address these complex problems. The care for each child is individualized to provide the safest most effective treatment.

Vein of Galen malformations are complex lesions usually diagnosed prenatally or shortly after birth. In these malformations, which are also referred to as Vein of Galen aneurysms, the arterial blood arriving in the brain is diverted directly into a massive draining vein rather than supplying blood to the brain before collecting in the venous system. The developing brain is deprived of the necessary nutrients delivered by the blood, and is at risk for stroke or seizures. In addition, the rapid flow of blood through the malformation strains the heart, sometimes causing heart failure. Babies with vein of Galen malformations require the complex highly technical care from an experienced team including neurosurgeons, neurologists, interventional neuroradiologists, neonatologists and cardiologists.