title: Head and neck arteriovenous malformations: results of ethanol sclerotherapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Peripheral AVM is a locally aggressive disease with a high tendency to recur; its treatment is complex, especially in the anatomically delicate head and neck area. Here, we report results of ethanol sclerotherapy for head and neck AVM and discuss its potential use for peripheral AVM.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively assessed degree of AVM eradication, complications, and clinical or imaging signs of recurrence for 19 patients treated with ethanol sclerotherapy for head and neck AVM (1 intraosseous, 18 soft-tissue AVMs).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 19 patients, 11 had complete eradication of arteriovenous shunting at DSA, with 1 recurrence (mean follow-up 15 months), and for 7 patients, treatment is ongoing. During 59 treatment sessions, 12 patients experienced 14 complications, 1 leading to permanent functional damage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ethanol sclerotherapy has potential for complete eradication of head and neck AVM with low recurrence within the first year after completion of treatment. Complete eradication may require several treatment sessions during which complications should be minimized with careful techniques.
authors: Department of Radiology, University of Helsinki and HUS Radiology, Helsinki, Finland. johanna.pekkola@hus.fi
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Pekkola
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Lappalainen
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Vuola
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Klockars
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Salminen
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Pitkäranta
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001165:Arteriovenous Malformations / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D000431:Ethanol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006257:Head; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009333:Neck; D011859:Radiography; D012597:Sclerosing Solutions / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015911:Sclerotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D012597:Sclerosing Solutions; D000431:Ethanol