Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 22, 2026

Comprehensive Endovascular and Open Surgical Management of Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations
Published on: October 20, 2017
Vascular malformations of the head and neck
Kenya Kobayashi1, Kazunari Nakao, Sadahiro Kishishita
1Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, NTT Medical Center Tokyo, Japan. kenyajp@hotmail.com
Objective:
Vascular malformations may appear anywhere in the body; 14-65% are in the head and neck. There are several treatments (sclerotherapy, surgery, laser treatment, and embolization, etc.), but standardized guidelines for these treatments are lacking. We conducted a retrospective review of venous or capillary malformations of the head and neck, and analyzed the epidemiology, pathology and treatment.
Methods:
We retrospectively reviewed 67 patients with pathologically diagnosed venous or capillary malformations of the head and neck; we analyzed the location, pathology and treatment, as well as recurrent/residual cases.
Results:
The oral cavity (59%) and nasal cavity (35%) were the most common locations. The frequency of each pathological type depended upon location. Surgery was undertaken in 65 cases, and sclerotherapy done in one patient. Sixty-one cases (92%) had resectable lesions. However polycystic masses (≥3 cysts) and large masses (diameter, ≥5cm) were significantly difficult to cure by single treatment.
Conclusions:
Surgery is indicated for localized small vascular malformations. However if the lesions ≥5cm or polycystic lesions were more likely to recur after surgery alone in our study population.
Related Concept Videos
Arteries of the Head and Neck
The internal carotid arteries supply blood to the anterior portion of the cerebrum. They enter the...
Veins of Head and Neck
On the other hand, the vertebral veins, unlike their arterial counterparts, are not primarily responsible for brain drainage. Instead, they drain the cervical vertebrae, spinal cord, and some small...
Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology
Varicose Veins I: Introduction
Esophageal Varices-I: Introduction
Bone Markings
Articulating Projections
Articulating projections are found where two bones meet to form a joint. These structures are usually found at the ends of bones. The largest articulation is a rounded projection called the head, supported by a narrow neck at the ends of...

