Transcatheter embolisation of bone tumour arteriovenous malformations

Arteriovenous malformations complicating benign bone tumours may not be amenable to surgical treatment either because of their extensive size and likelihood of recurrence or because of their location. Transcatheter embolisation may then be used either as the definitive treatment or as a prelude to safe surgical intervention. Patients presenting with arteriovenous malformations in association with polyostotic fibrous dysplasia and vertebral haemangioma are presented who were treated by transcatheter embolisation, using Oxycel and Gelfoam. A haemodynamically significant shunt was obliterated in one patient and in the other an excellent clinical response was obtained facilitating subsequent surgical management.