Transarterial Embolization and Transmucosal Sclerotherapy That Led to Successful Deliveries in a Patient With Symptomatic Arteriovenous Malformation of the Tongue

Eradication of the nidus in arteriovenous malformations with a dominant outflow vein in the lower extremities using coils and absolute ethanol

OBJECTIVE

In the present study, we summarize our experience in locating the nidus of arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) with a dominant outflow vein (DOV) in the lower extremities and eradicating the nidus with ethanol and coils.

METHODS

Twelve patients with lower extremity AVMs who underwent ethanol embolization combined with DOV occlusion from January 2017 to May 2018 were enrolled in the present study. Selective angiography was used to locate the nidus of the AVMs, which was eradicated using ethanol and coils via the direct puncture pathway. All treated patients underwent postoperative follow-up (mean, 25.5 months; range, 14-37 months).

RESULTS

The 12 patients underwent a total of 29 procedures (mean, 2.4; range, 1-4) with 27 detachable coils and 169 Nester coils (Cook Medical Inc, Bloomington, IN). Of the 12 patients, 7 (58.3%) had a complete response and 5 (41.7%) a partial response. Three patients (25%) had minor complications such as blister and superficial skin ulcers during follow-up. However, they recovered spontaneously and completely. No major complications were recorded.

CONCLUSIONS

Ethanol embolization combined with coil-assisted DOV occlusion has the potential to eradicate the nidus of lower extremity AVMs with acceptable complication rates.

Interventional therapy of extracranial arteriovenous malformations of the head and neck—A systematic review

Objectives

The primary aim of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis of the literature on interventional treatment for patients with extracranial AVM of the head and neck to identify a superior treatment. The secondary aim was to evaluate the methodological quality of associated articles published between 2000–2020.

Methods

The literature search was conducted on PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and scholar.google.com. Studies, meeting the acceptable reference standard underwent meta-analysis. All identified literature underwent methodological quality analysis.

Results

Of 1560 screened articles, 56 were included in the literature review. Appropriate diagnostic tests were reported in 98% of included articles. 13% of included articles did not specify the embolization agent. Outcome analysis varied throughout. 45% of the authors used radiographic imaging for follow-up. 77% specified the span of follow-up of their entire patient collective. Two articles met the inclusion criteria for meta-analysis. Curing rate of transarterial ethanol embolization for intraosseous AVM was 83% with a complication rate of 58%. Curing rate of ethanol combined with NBCA or Onyx in soft tissue AVM was 18% with a complication rate of 87%.

Conclusion

Our literature review revealed an absence of treatment or reporting standards for extracranial AVM of the head and neck. The meta-analysis is comprised of two articles and methodological quality is heterogeneous. We recommend implementing consistent reporting standards to facilitate comparability of studies and to provide robust data for the development of an evidence-based treatment strategy.

Advances in knowledge

Meta-analysis showed a favorable radiological outcome for intraosseous AVM when treated with intraarterial ethanol embolization. Our analysis demonstrated that the published data on extracranial AVMs of the head and neck is lacking in consistency and quality, prompting agreement for the need of standardized reporting on AVM treatments.

Major haemorrhage from oral arteriovenous malformation during pregnancy: a case report

This case report describes the presentation of a pregnant woman, a periodontist, at 39 weeks gestation to The Royal Prince Alfred Hospital emergency department (Sydney, NSW) with major haemorrhage from an oral arteriovenous malformation (AVM) and foetal distress. The lesion had grown rapidly during her pregnancy and she had presented to multiple hospitals and dental practitioners who had failed to diagnose her condition and recognize the potential for major complications for the patient and her baby. Bleeding was controlled with manual pressure while she underwent an emergency Caesarean section followed by emergency angiography and partial embolization of the lesion. The bleeding did not recur, and the lesion continued to regress post-partum. This paper illustrates the diagnostic dilemma of recognizing an AVM and also the potentially disastrous consequences that could occur if a dentist was to embark on extractions or other surgical treatment in the vicinity of such a lesion without realizing its significance.

Lingual Arteriovenous Malformation With Bleeding Treated With Polidocanol Foam Sclerotherapy Using Intestinal Forceps to Control Blood Flow

ABSTRACT

Arteriovenous malformation (AVM) sometimes causes hemorrhage that can be fatal. We report a case of AVM of the tongue with bleeding that was treated by semi-emergent sclerotherapy with polidocanol. A 33-year-old woman presented with Schobinger stage III AVM of the tongue. Sclerotherapy with 3% polidocanol foam was performed under general anesthesia using curved intestinal forceps to clamp the root of the tongue for control of blood flow. Postoperatively, there was no further bleeding from the lesion. Three subsequent sclerotherapy sessions with polidocanol were performed, and there was a marked reduction in the size of the lesion. The lesion has remained well controlled in the year since the last sclerotherapy session.