Foot arteriovenous malformation: A single-institutional Experience

Background: Arterio venous malformations (AVM) encompass a wide spectrum of lesions that can present as an incidental finding or produce potentially life- or limb threatening complications. The symptoms, treatment options, results, and prognosis of foot AVMs are relatively poorly known compared with AVMs involving other parts of the body. We present a series of 6 patients with foot AVM that have been managed between July 2015 and January 2018. Aims and Objectives: We plan to review the treatment of peripheral AVMs and options of treatment available. As AVM's form 10-20% of congenital vascular malformations [CVM], they remain challenging to treat and often pose threat to both life and limb due to their unpredictable nature, when compared to venous malformations [VM] or lymphatic malformations [LM]. The least common CVM's are the peripheral AVM's. Material and Methods: Six patients who presented to the Vascular Surgery OPD who underwent treatment with varying modalities are presented here. All the patients presented to our tertiary care center having received treatment elsewhere for a pulsatile swelling of the foot. Prior treatments received were mainly compression bandages / garments and in one case sclerotherapy with alcohol. Results: Two of 6 patients had been offered below knee amputations and we were able to preserve limbs on both patients. Options used were alcohol, Histacryl glue, foam sclerotherapy. Each patient is presented in detail with accompanying images. Conclusions: There is a need to increase awareness about AVM's amongst members of the medical fraternity its diagnosis and management options.