Multidisciplinary care of fetal vein of Galen arteriovenous malformation diagnosed via Doppler ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging: A case report

Abstract

Fetal vein of Galen malformation (VOGM) represents a rare congenital anomaly affecting the fetal cerebral vasculature. A 27-year-old Middle Eastern woman was referred due to intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and fetal cardiac anomalies identified at 35 weeks of gestation. The diagnosis of fetal VOGM with dilated neck vessels was established through a combination of color Doppler ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging. A multidisciplinary approach involving maternal-fetal medicine, neonatology, pediatric cardiology, and interventional radiology was implemented. Given the grave prognosis for the baby, the patient received comprehensive counseling. Subsequent monitoring revealed a non-reassuring fetal heart trace, prompting the decision to perform a cesarean section. The newborn, a girl, was admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit for further management but she died shortly thereafter, with heart failure and intracranial hemorrhage identified as the probable causes of death. In summary, the diagnosis and management of VOGMs demand specialized expertise and a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to optimize patient care and outcomes.