Pre-operative embolization and surgical resection of extracranial superficial arteriovenous malformations

Extracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are high-flow vascular malformations that are challenging entities to treat and are primarily managed with embolization alone. Single-stage embolization and resection is a technique occasionally used for treating intracranial arteriovenous malformations. This manuscript describes combined embolization and surgical resection for localized superficial extracranial AVMs by presenting three cases from our experience. A retrospective review of the medical records of patients in this series including clinical notes, procedural imaging, and follow-up documentation was performed. A total of three AVMs near the antecubital fossa, deltoid, and forehead were embolized and resected. There was no evidence of recurrence on follow-up imaging, and no complications were observed, specifically, overlying skin injury. Embolization and resection of localized superficial extracranial AVMs with overlying skin changes offer an alternative treatment option to existing paradigms.