[Traumatic arterio-venous fistula. Experience with 9 cases]

Area of Science:

• Vascular Surgery
• Interventional Radiology
• Trauma Medicine

Background:

• Traumatic arteriovenous fistulas (TAF) represent uncommon but significant vascular injuries.
• TAF can arise from direct trauma or iatrogenic causes.
• Prompt diagnosis and appropriate management are crucial for patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present the authors' experience with nine new cases of traumatic arteriovenous fistulas.
• To highlight the diagnostic utility of clinical presentation and selective arteriography.
• To discuss therapeutic strategies for TAF based on fistula characteristics.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of nine patients diagnosed with traumatic arteriovenous fistulas.
• Clinical data including mechanism of injury, symptoms, and physical examination findings were analyzed.
• Diagnostic imaging primarily involved selective arteriography.
• Treatment outcomes for surgical and endovascular interventions were assessed.

Main Results:

• Nine cases of TAF were identified, with three resulting from minor trauma and six from iatrogenic causes.
• Clinical symptoms and physical examination proved highly valuable for initial diagnosis.
• Selective arteriography was instrumental in confirming the diagnosis and planning treatment.
• Therapeutic options included surgery, selective arterial embolization, or a combined approach.

Conclusions:

• Traumatic arteriovenous fistulas, though rare, require a systematic diagnostic and therapeutic approach.
• Clinical evaluation combined with selective arteriography is effective for TAF management.
• Treatment modality selection should be tailored to individual fistula characteristics and location.