THERAPEUTIC APPROACH TO ARTERIOVENOUS-MALFORMATIONS OF THE TONGUE

Arteriovenous malformations (AVM) are developmental errors with a high complication rate because they are hemodynamically active. The aim of our study is to evaluate management of the rare subgroup of tongue AV M. From 1982 to 1994, 25 patients with AVM of the tongue presented to our department. All patients were discussed in our multidisciplinary s taff consultation and were treated by embolization, surgery, or were f ollowed-up clincally with no intervention. Thirteen patients were asym ptomatic in a hemodynamically quiescent phase and did not require any kind of intervention. The 12 others underwent embolization procedures following which 6 became stable, 2 had complementary surgery, 1 was lo st to follow-up, 1 had two minor bleeding episodes without the need fo r hospitalization, and 2 were improved. Arteriovenous malformations of the tongue must be followed clinically and treated only if they becom e active. Permanent embolization with a polymerizing liquid administer ed through supra-selective catheterization or by direct puncture of th e malformation is recommended.