Management of an Extensive Intraparotid and Auricular Arteriovenous Malformation

BACKGROUND Extracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) of the parotid gland and auricle are rarely encountered. Management of these AVMs depends on the Schobinger stage and their flow characteristics. We present a rare case of an AVM involving the parotid and auricle concurrently. The clinical and imaging features of these high-flow vascular malformations and their treatment options are discussed and we provide a review of the literature. CASE REPORT A 40-year-old woman presented with a large 6.4×6.0×13.0 cm high-flow Schobinger stage II high-flow AVM of the parotid gland and auricle. Diagnostic imaging included magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and conventional catheter angiogram, which defined the vascular anatomy and flow characteristics of the AVM. She was treated with preoperative endovascular embolization followed by surgical excision and free-tissue transfer reconstruction on the next day. The results were excellent, with no recurrence over 3.5 years of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS This is the second case reported in the literature of high-flow AVM concurrently involving the parotid gland and auricle, treated with perioperative embolization followed by surgical excision and grafting. Management of AVMs requires a multidisciplinary team approach and understanding of the natural history of the lesion. Although total surgical resection is the criterion standard for these AVMs, endovascular embolization is an alternative treatment that can be used as an adjunct to surgery. Furthermore, perioperative embolization can decrease the vascularity of the lesion and effectively reduce blood loss during AVM surgery.