Onyx embolization of a lingual arteriovenous malformation

Head and neck arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), including lingual AVMs, are unusual and rare. There are many treatment options including sclerotherapy, endovascular or percutaneous embolization, and surgical excision. A combination of preoperative embolization and surgical resection is commonly used for head and neck AVMs. However, in most cases, surgical resection causes significant morbidity. Single-modality approaches such as transarterial embolization are sometimes performed. Herein, we used the copolymer Onyx (ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer) as an embolizing agent and obtained satisfactory therapeutic outcomes. To our knowledge, this is the first report of lingual AVMs treated using Onyx embolization. Copyright (C) 2012, Asian Surgical Association. Published by Elsevier Taiwan LLC. All rights reserved.