The Venous System of the Velum Interpositum of the Rhesus Monkey and the Effect of Experimental Occlusion of the Great Vein of Galen

Microsurgical anatomy of the great cerebral vein of Galen and its tributaries

“…Data from several experimental studies have shown that ligation of the vein of Galen produces no major conse-quence other than hydrocephalus in animals. 3,8 This was refuted in 1971 by Hammock and colleagues, 12 who found dilation of the main dural sinuses and cortical veins as well as the diencephalic veins. Earlier, Schlesinger 34 demonstrated macroscopic and microscopic alterations in the brain after ligation of the vein of Galen.…”

Trans-cortical and trans-striatal venous collaterals in the hemodynamic compromise of deep venous system

“…In cases of normal deep venous outflow restriction or arterialized inflow into the deep venous system, alternative venous routes may develop to drain the deep venous system towards the superficial cerebral venous system, the dural venous sinuses and finally the extracranial venous outflow pathways. 12,13 Possible causes of deep venous system outflow restriction include vein of Galen-straight sinus venous thrombosis, tumor (mostly benign slow growing tumor like falco-tentorial meningioma), and surgical complication. Retrograde blood flow into the deep venous system through the vein of Galen can be caused by dural arteriovenous fistula or brain arteriovenous malformation, which is commonly accompanied by chronic venous sinus occlusion of transverse and/or sigmoid sinus(es).…”

Neonatal and Fetal Brain Malformations

“…Although experimental studies in dogs and monkeys (BEDFORD 1934;HAMMOCK 1971;SCHLESINGER 1940) do not seem to confirm this theory, this is probably because vein of Galen ligation does not reproduce the embryogenesis of the malformation: we know that the abnormal sac is not the vein of Galen, but its forerunner, the median prosencephalic vein. Although experimental studies in dogs and monkeys (BEDFORD 1934;HAMMOCK 1971;SCHLESINGER 1940) do not seem to confirm this theory, this is probably because vein of Galen ligation does not reproduce the embryogenesis of the malformation: we know that the abnormal sac is not the vein of Galen, but its forerunner, the median prosencephalic vein.…”