[Treatment of facial arteriovenous malformation]

Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) of the face are notoriously difficult lesions to manage because of the abundant vascular network in this region. We report three cases in which AVMs of the face were treated with endovascular embolization. Two cases with small AVM of the face and auricle were treated with direct puncture of the nidus and embolization with a small amount of n-butyl-cyanoacrylate (NBCA). In the third patient with a large AVM of the cheek, the external carotid artery (ECA) of which had been previously ligated surgically, percutaneous direct puncture of the ECA was performed. Superselective catheterization of each of the feeding arteries and embolization with a small amount of NBCA was then achieved. All cases demonstrated clinical and angiographical improvement. In two cases with a small AVM of the face and auricle, complete obstruction of the nidus was achieved. Direct puncture of the nidus and embolization with a small amount of NBCA was a safe and effective technique for the treatment of facial AVM.