Arteriovenous communication in the orbit

Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are anomalous communications between art erial and venous systems without interposed capillaries. These lesions are rarely entirely intraorbital. A case of an arteriovenous communication betw een branches of the internal and external carotid arterial circulations and the ophthalmic veins located within the orbit is reported. Treatment with embolization resulted in a branch retinal artery occlusion. Attempted direc t arterial occlusion of a dural-based fistula of the eye is a risky procedu re. If embolized, AVMs should probably be approached from the venous side, if at all.