Treatment of Facial Arteriovenous Malformations by Embolization: A Case Report

Abstract

Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are rare congenital anomalies characterized by direct communication between arteries and veins that bypass the capillary bed. AVMs may not manifest clinically until late infancy or childhood. In particular, facial AVMs can cause urgent life-threatening dental events. A 5-year-old girl without a medical history visited the hospital because of spontaneous gingival bleeding around the posterior gingival area of the lower left 2nd primary molar.<br/>Angiography through the femoral approach under general anesthesia was performed for differential diagnosis and therapeutic option. The blood flow was effectively reduced after arterial embolization alone, and there was no evidence of recurrence at the 5-month follow-up.<br/>The present study reports that embolization of the affected vessels can be a more effective and safe method than surgical resection for the treatment of AVM during the growth period.