RECONSTRUCTION OF PREVIOUSLY LIGATED EXTERNAL CAROTID ARTERIES FOR CRANIAL BASE ARTERIOVENOUS MALFORMATION EMBOLIZATION - TECHNICAL NOTE

LIGATION OF THE external carotid artery has been used in the past as a treatment for cranial base and facial arteriovenous malformations. By current selective embolization techniques, this prior ligation of the external carotid artery may hinder optimal treatment. Reported here a re the indications and surgical techniques used for reconstructing pre viously ligated external carotid arteries in preparation for endovascu lar treatment. Direct reconstruction or an interposition graft was use ful, depending on the patient's anatomy. There were no complications i n this series, despite the presumed increase in blood flow to the arte riovenous malformation after reconstruction. After reconstruction, ear ly embolization is feasible and may be necessary to prevent the engorg ement of the arteriovenous malformation.