Extremity arteriovenous malformations: diagnosis and radiologic treatment

Purpose: To study the diagnostic and therapeutic volume of artery angiography and embolization in extremity arteriovenous malformations (AVM). Methods: 11 patients of AVM of extremities underwent arterial angiography. To treat the cases who had serious arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) within the AVM, therapeutic embolization were performed in 5 cases for 10 times. Several liquid and solid embolization materials including sodium morrhuate were used. Results: For determining whether varices or AVF was the main pathology present in the AVM, angiography was necessary which provided the basis for classification and therapeutic choice. 2 cases had embolization therapy were combined with surgical treatment. Bleeding was less during operation. 3 cases had embolization therapy alone and the symptom was controlled satisfactorily. Conclusion: Arterial angiography and embolization therapy are key procedures for the diagnosis and treatment of extremity AVM. Sodium morrhuate can be used effectively as a liquid embolization material to treat extremity AVM