Mandibular arteriovenous malformation in pregnancy

Abstract

Benign vascular lesions, such as hemangiomas of childhood, arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) and venous malformations, are uncommon and have been found in a variety of organs throughout the body. Vascular lesions of bone are found most often in the vertebral column. Vascular tumors of the mandible are rare. We report a case of a mandibular AVM found in a pregnant woman at 35 weeks' gestation. A pregnant woman presented at 35 weeks' gestation with right-sided jaw pain and was found to have a pulsatile mass on the internal surface of the right mandible in the area of the premolars. Profuse bleeding of the lesion required emergent selective arterial embolization of a vascular tumor of the mandible, which resulted in successful occlusion of the vessels. Uncomplicated vaginal delivery followed induction of labor. Excision and reconstructive surgery occurred 1 week postembolization. Pathology confirmed an AVM. Mandibular AVMs are rare vascular tumors that, when correctly diagnosed, can be successfully managed during pregnancy. Whether or not vascular or hormonal changes associated with pregnancy can exacerbate a preexisting AVM is debatable.