An Unusual Case of Giant Arterio-Venous Malformation of Anterior Abdominal Wall

Abstract

Arterio-Venous Malformations (AVMs) are high flow vascular anomalies, commonly seen in head, neck and extremities. AVMs represent a direct connection between the arterial and the venous systems. They are congenital, often asymptomatic and rarely manifest before adolescence. Depending on the site, size and symptoms, treatment options varies from conservative management to surgical resection. Here, we report a case of 20-year-old male patient with long standing lump in the anterior abdominal wall with no typical clinical features of vascular lesions. However, imaging findings were suggestive of vascular malformation, and final histopathological examination revealed arterio-venous malformation.

Keywords: Atypical arterio-venous lesions; High flow vascular malformation; Vascular anomalies.

[Table/Fig-1]:

Abdominal wall lump.

[Table/Fig-2]:

CECT- Mass in the left rectus muscle with prominent intralesional vascularity (arrow).

[Table/Fig-3]:

CT Angiography-Mass fed by superior (Yellow arrow) and inferior epigastric arteries (blue arrow).

[Table/Fig-4]:

Mass arising from the rectus muscle (arrow).

[Table/Fig-5]:

A large artery with hemangiomatous component in the wall. (H&E 4X).

[Table/Fig-6]:

The same vessel showing CD34 positive staining of endothelial cells (Immunohistochemistry 4X).