Giant parapharyngeal high-flow arteriovenous malformation causing airway compromise: emergency embolo-sclerotherapy via an endovascular-only approach

Abstract

Head and neck arteriovenous malformations are the commonest extracranial vascular malformations but demonstrate a unique challenge in the limited available surgical options secondary to their intimate association to vital structures. We present a case of middle-aged female patient who presented with threatened upper-airway obstruction and bleeding secondary to a slowly enlarging parapharyngeal arteriovenous malformations. She was treated with an endovascular-only approach with the proximal arteriole branches selectively undergoing embolo-sclerotherapy with an optimal radiological and clinical outcome. We also demonstrate the utility of elective tracheostomy prior to intervention.

Keywords

• Arteriovenous malformations
• Head and neck
• Interventional radiology
• Embolosclerotherapy