Extremity arteriovenous malformations: Review of a series

Objective: To examine the diagnosis and treatment of arteriovenous malformations in adults, because of the tendency of the condition to recur. Design: Chart and literature review. Setting: Three tertiary-care hospitals. Patients: Twelve adults with diffuse arteriovenous malformations of the extremities. Interventions: Surgery or embolotherapy. Main Outcome Measure: Recurrence. Results: Of the 12 cases reviewed, the arteriovenous malformations recurred in 8 patients; 2 of these were well, 6 months and 2 years after a second or third treatment. Two others were well, 2 months and 5 years after surgery or embolotherapy. One pregnant woman, whose case is described in detail, received no treatment, and her arteriovenous malformation diminished in size after her child was born. The outcome in the last patient is unknown. Conclusion: Diffuse arteriovenous malformations recur after ablative treatment.