[Staging and management of extracranial arteriovenous malformations].
OBJECTIVE
Congenital arteriovenous malformations(AVM) are considered to be the most difficult and challenging problems in the treatment of hemangiomas and vascular lesions. This study focused on the natural history, the clinical classification, the choice and effectiveness of various treatments.


METHODS
This retrospective review included 83 patients with extracranial arteriovenous malformations, who were referred to our department over the past 6 years. The anatomic patterns, clinical staging, respective treatments, influential factors of endovascular treatment, causes of recurrence were analyzed.


RESULTS
According to clinical manifestations, arteriovenous malformations were categorized as three clinical stages: the quiescence, the expansion and the decompensation stages. Most AVMS in the quiescence stage only require endovascular treatment while those in the decompensation stage require surgical resection. Angiography was performed not only for diagnosis of AVM but also as an initial therapeutic step in the form of embolization, which might be the only means to some AVM without surgical possibility or necessity.


CONCLUSIONS
The new concept of staging and management is expected to be helpful for diagnosis and treatments of AVM.
Lin
Xiao-xi
XX
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai 200011, China.
Li
Wei
W
Chen
Da
D
Dong
Jia-sheng
JS
Mao
Qing
Q
Fan
Xing-dong
XD
Cao
Yi-lin
YL
Wang
Wei
W
D000179:Acrylates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000792:Angiography; D001165:Arteriovenous Malformations / Q000145:classification / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic; D019723:Endoscopes; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011145:Polyvinyls / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000179:Acrylates; D011145:Polyvinyls; C026699:ivalon sponge; C032490:n-butyl acrylate