Radiation therapy for intractable bleeding in extremity arteriovenous malformation: considerations on a clinical case

J Med Imaging Radiat Oncol. 2009 Jun;53(3):331-4. doi: 10.1111/j.1754-9485.2008.02069.x.

Abstract

Arteriovenous malformations are rare clinicopathological entities with varied distribution and a constellation of symptoms. In the extremities they are usually associated with dermatological manifestations, such as angiodermatitis with a potential risk of torrential haemorrhage. Surgical resection is a morbid procedure. Transcatheter embolization and sclerotherapy is an attractive alternative to surgical resection. However, proper case selection is a prerequisite and may not be possible in all the cases. The case reported here is a paradigm of a complex and extensive vascular malformation with torrential haemorrhage where a unique therapeutic approach of radiation therapy was used as an alternative to morbid surgery after embolization and sclerotherapy failure.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Arteriovenous Malformations / complications*
  • Arteriovenous Malformations / radiotherapy*
  • Hemorrhage / etiology*
  • Hemorrhage / radiotherapy*
  • Humans
  • Leg / blood supply*
  • Male
  • Recurrence
  • Treatment Outcome