Pulsatile pelvic masses: options for evaluation and management of pelvic arteriovenous malformations

Three recent and previously unreported cases of pelvic arteriovenous malformation are presented. Two were surgically resected in conjunction with elective gynecologic surgery, and the third was embolized by retrograde femoral superselective coaxial catheterization. The causal significance of birth or surgical trauma is discussed, and guidelines for diagnostic angiographic imaging and therapeutic embolization are presented.