Endovascular management of congenital arteriovenous fistulae in the neck

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate congenital arteriovenous fistulae in the neck, including vertebrovertebral and carotico-jugular arteriovenous fistula, with their endovascular management. Six patients with congenital arteriovenous fistulae in the neck who underwent endovascular treatment between March 2001 and December 2013 at the Department of Radiology, Ege University School of Medicine were enrolled into this retrospective study. There were four men and two women, with a mean age of 8.6 (range 4-17)years. Patients' demographics and symptoms were noted. Diagnostic computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance angiography were available in all patients. Parent artery and vein of the arteriovenous fistula, location of the fistula, the other features of fistula, endovascular occlusion site, number and type of endovascular materials, and length of follow-up were reviewed. Four patients had vertebrovertebral fistula, while two patients had carotido-jugular fistula (fistula between maxillary artery and external jugular vein). Four patients underwent detachable balloon occlusion together with coil embolization, while two patients underwent detachable balloon occlusion only. The parent artery was occluded in five patients without clinical consequences, and the remaining fistula was occluded with preservation of the parent artery. The patients did not have any complication in the follow-up period (mean follow-up, 9months). Congenital arteriovenous fistulae in the neck are extremely rare. Endovascular fistula occlusion with parent vessel sacrifice appears to be a safe and minimally invasive treatment option with good results during the follow-up period.