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Case Reports
. 2025 May 20;17(5):e84459.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.84459. eCollection 2025 May.

Arteriovenous Malformation of the Vallecula Resulting in Recurrent Hemoptysis: A Case Report

Doha Amin  1 , Kunal Matharu  2 , Gabriella Manilla  3 , Jatin Ahluwalia  3
Affiliations
Case Reports

Arteriovenous Malformation of the Vallecula Resulting in Recurrent Hemoptysis: A Case Report

Doha Amin et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) of the upper airway in adults are relatively rare and can present with intermittent hemoptysis. Due to the intermittent nature of the bleeding episodes and frequent need for multidisciplinary interventions, diagnosing and treating upper airway AVMs can be challenging. Here, a case of intermittent hemoptysis due to an AVM of the vallecula is described. It was identified using flexible laryngoscopy and was subsequently surgically removed with resolution of the patient's symptoms. Overall, hemoptysis in adults has a broad differential and a thorough work up with multidisciplinary involvement should be performed.

Keywords: acute blood loss anemia; arteriovenous malformations; direct laryngoscopy; flexible fiberoptic laryngoscopy; recurrent hemoptysis; vallecula.

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Conflict of interest statement

Human subjects: Consent for treatment and open access publication was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Axial CT image showing a small lesion arising from the right vallecula (red arrow).
Figure 2
Figure 2. Intraoperative endoscopic images showing the vallecular arteriovenous malformation prior to surgical ablation (red arrow).
Figure 3
Figure 3. Intraoperative endoscopic image showing the arteriovenous malformation after removal and cauterization.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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