Ethanol embolization of auricular arteriovenous malformations

Objective To present the authors’ initial experience of treating auricular arteriovenous malformations(AVMs) with ethanol embolization and to assess the clinical effectiveness of this therapeutic method.Methods Twenty-two patients with AVMs were enrolled in this study.Through local puncturing or super-selective catheterization the absolute ethanol,or diluted alcohol(based on the pattern of the AVMs),was manually injected into the abnormal vascular plexus of the auricular lesion.The clinical results were estimated with physical examination or angiography at intervals of 3 ～ 4 month,and telephone questionnaire was made at monthly intervals for all patients.Results Thirty-eight ethanol embolization procedures were performed,the amount of ethanol used during the procedure ranged from 4 ml to 65 ml.After the treatment the clinical symptoms were improved,which were manifested as healing of the ulceration,stop of bleeding,disappearing or alleviation of tinnitus.Angiographic examination showed that the abnormal vascular lesion was completely vanished in 9 cases,decreased by 50%-75% in 8 cases and decreased less than 50% in remaining 5 cases.The common complications included irreversible local necrosis and vesiculation.Conclusion For the treatment of auricular AVMs ethanol embolization is an effective and safe method,which might become the therapy of first choice.