Acquired digital arteriovenous malformations: laser treatment of an uncommon vascular abnormality

Acquired digital arteriovenous malformations (ADAVM) are uncommon acral vascular lesions most often affecting the finger. Treatment usually requires complete excision of the lesion with complex advancement flap or skin graft reconstruction. However, in recent years, some authors have reported satisfactory outcomes with laser treatment. We describe a series of 6 patients with ADAVM, 5 of whom received laser treatment and obtained a good response. The other patient was treated surgically. After an in-depth review of this type of lesion, we conclude that laser treatment is a safe and effective alternative for these malformations, provided the patients are appropriately diagnosed and have Schöbinger stage i lesions.