Comprehensive Treatment of Upper Lip Arteriovenous Malformation

Super-selective and staged glue embolization for labral AVMs using ultra-thin microcatheters: report of two cases

BACKGROUND

Treating arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is challenging because of the high recurrence rate and because incomplete resection or embolization can induce aggressive growth. However, a standard strategy is not fully established. Although transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) is currently almost always part of the treatment, in many cases, single treatment is not curative and only palliative. Additionally, the success and complication rates associated with TAE alone are unclear, and there has been limited study of staged TAE for facial AVMs. Furthermore, few reports have described the details of the procedure.

CASE-PRESENTATION

We report two cases of AVM of the upper lip in patients who were successfully treated by staged super-selective TAE at several-month intervals using ultra-thin microcatheters and n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate.

CONCLUSION

Staged and super-selective TAE may prevent complications and provide high curability and might be a useful treatment in cases of AVM.

The Efficiency and Safety of Ethanol Sclerotherapy for Labial Arteriovenous Malformations

BACKGROUND

AND PURPOSE: Labial arteriovenous malformations, usually with accompanying cosmetic defects, pain, and bleeding, are aggressive with characteristics of high risk of recurrence and absence of effective treatment. This study presents a technique of sclerotherapy for labial arteriovenous malformations.

METHODS

Patients with labial arteriovenous malformations were treated with percutaneous ethanol sclerotherapy with or without polyvinyl alcohol particle embolization. The efficiency, complications, and recurrence rate were analyzed with imaging and clinical follow-up data.

RESULTS

Of the 15 patients, all patients received one or more treatment sessions, from which eight realized a cure (53.3%) and five had remission (33.3%). Two patients who did not achieve an effective result await further treatment. Four (26.7%) patients treated with ethanol sclerotherapy combined with polyvinyl alcohol particle embolization developed recurrence. No recurrence occurred in patients treated with only sclerotherapy (mean ± SD follow-up 17.2 ± 8.1 months). Thirteen patients developed transient complications: swelling, mild bleeding, and blistering. One patient had a postoperative scar of about 0.5 cm.

CONCLUSIONS

Ethanol sclerotherapy appears effective as a treatment for labial arteriovenous malformations. Careful application of the treatment can reduce the occurrence of complications.

Absolute Ethanol Embolization of Lip Arteriovenous Malformations: Observational Results from 10 Years of Experience

PURPOSE

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of ethanol embolization of lip arteriovenous malformations (AVMs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seventy-six patients with lip AVMs were treated with 173 ethanol embolization procedures. Lip AVMs were treated with direct puncture alone in 21 patients (35 procedures, 20.2%), transarterial embolization alone in 13 patients (18 procedures, 10.4 %), and a combination of both in 60 patients (120 procedures, 69.3%). Adjunctive surgical resection was performed after embolization for cosmetic purposes based on the patient's request, including patient preference, functional impairment, and skin necrosis. The mean duration of follow-up was 30.9 months ± 27.6. The follow-up included clinic visits and telephonic questionnaires to evaluate the clinical signs and symptoms of AVMs as well as quality of life measures.

RESULTS

Of 76 patients, 51 showed 100% devascularization of AVMs, as determined using arteriography, followed by 23 with 76%-99% devascularization and 2 with 50%-75% devascularization. Of the 76 patients, 40 achieved complete symptom relief and 25 achieved major improvements in cosmetic deformity after embolization. Additionally, 54 patients achieved satisfactory function and aesthetic improvement with ethanol embolotherapy alone, whereas 22 achieved similar outcomes with a combination of ethanol embolotherapy and surgical intervention. Thirty-three adverse events (including 1 major) were documented.

CONCLUSIONS

Ethanol embolization of lip AVMs, as a mainstay, is efficacious in managing these lesions, with acceptable complications. Surgical resection after embolization may improve function and cosmesis in a subset of patients.

Giant arteriovenous malformation of the face and upper lip

A 35-year-old male patient reported with the chief complaint of a large swelling in the right side of the upper lip. The lesion measured 6.5 cm measuring from the infraorbital region to the lower border of mandible on the right side of the face and 7.5 cm from the right ear lobule to the contralateral commissure of the left side of the face. On palpation, the swelling was soft, fluctuant and compressible. Pulsations were felt, and on auscultation, bruit was also heard. Computed tomography angiogram of the neck and circle of Willis showed serpiginous hyperdense vascular channels causing significant soft-tissue thickening of the upper lip, right cheek region and philtrum. Hence, the diagnosis of diffuse subcutaneous facial arteriovenous malformation involving the right cheek and philtrum was given. The entire lesion was excised. In the postoperative 2^nd month, secondary cosmetic correction or lip reconstruction was done. The patient was reviewed after 3 years; there was no recurrence of the lesion.