Traumatic arteriovenous fistulae of the scalp

Abstract

Two cases of traumatic arteriovenous fistula of the scalp are described. To our knowledge, only six such cases with angiographic correlation have been previously reported in the literature. While the clinical diagnosis of arteriovenous fistula of the scalp is often not difficult, angiography plays an important role in guiding the surgeon by demonstrating multiplicity of feeding vessels and their origin from various trunks. One of our cases showed feeding vessels from the occipital artery and cervical branches of the vertebral and subclavian arteries. Our second case revealed superficial temporal and occipital arteries to be the feeding vessels. Total excision of the arteriovenous fistula rather than simple ligation should be performed to prevent recurrence, which results because of extensive collateral supply.