SUBJECTS AND METHODS
Four patients were treated for life-threatening intraoral bleeding from arteriovenous
malformation (AVM) mandible during the period 2015–2017 who underwent selective embolisation,
curative resection and primary free fibula reconstruction.
All the four patients presented in an unstable condition, with uncontrolled intraoral
bleeding. An intravenous line was secured, and the patients were urgently shifted
to the operation theatre for airway access and control of bleeding. Under general
anaesthesia, local measures like transfixation sutures at the bleeding site were attempted
but to no avail. The ipsilateral external carotid artery (ECA) was exposed and snared
with a loop of umbilical tape to control the bleeding [[Figure 1]]. One patient needed an additional interdental wire fixation over a piece of Gelfoam;
patients were stabilised and underwent emergency angiogram and selective embolisation
within the next 24 h [[Figure 2]]. Subsequently, patients were further stabilised haemodynamically.
Figure 1: Temporary external carotid artery control using loop ligature just distal to superior
thyroid branch helps in controlling the bleeding
Figure 2: Selective embolisation of facial and lingual branches pre- and post-embolisation
using N-butyl cyanoacrylate - Pre- and post-embolisation
The diagnostic protocol included angiogram, computed tomography (CT) [[Figure 3]] scan and magnetic resonance imaging (in two patients who had lower lip and chin
involvement).
Figure 3: Pre-operative computed tomography angiogram showing bilateral involvement of the
Mandible
Surgical intervention was done within 3–7 days post-embolisation. All the patients
had an elective tracheostomy to facilitate a safe airway. Curative resection of the
involved mandible and reconstruction of the defect with primary free osteocutaneous
fibula flap was performed. The loop ligatures on the external carotid were removed
only after the excision of the lesion in the mandible. All the patients were discharged
after the closure of the tracheostomy.
RESULTS
Totally four patients were managed for the intraoral bleeding from AVM mandible.
Age group ranged from 12 to 23 years, there were three females and one male patient.
All the patients had a previous history of minor intraoral bleeding varying from 3
to 9 episodes. Two of them were previously diagnosed and received 2–3 embolisations,
alarming bleeding started while they were waiting in the hospital for the scheduled
embolisation procedure. Other two patients were undiagnosed and presented directly
with severe intraoral bleeding in an unstable condition.
Arteriograms showed feeders arising from the facial, lingual, internal maxillary vessels
and from both sides in two patients. All the embolisation procedures were performed
using N-butyl cyanoacrylate through the femoral route; two of the four patients had
bilateral selective embolisations. One patient started bleeding while waiting for
surgical intervention and second embolisation was needed. During resuscitation, period
6–8 transfusions were needed.
The final decision for resection was made by the interventional radiologist and the
plastic surgeon based on the patient presentation, investigative findings and the
completeness of the embolisation. Moderate bleeding occurred intraoperatively, but
none of the patients received any intra-operative- or post-operative blood transfusions.
The lesion was limited to the mandible in two patients; in the other two patients,
more than 80% of the lip and chin along with submental and submandibular tissues was
involved [[Figure 4]].
Figure 4: Arteriovenous malformation mandible involving 80% of the lip and chin
Mandible defects extended from one angle to the contra-lateral parasymphyseal region
and beyond [[Figure 5]]. Primary reconstruction was performed with free osteocutaneous fibula flap [[Figure 6]]. Facial artery and superior thyroid arteries were used as recipient vessels, each
in two patients [[Table 1]]. In one of these patients, glue material was seen in the ipsilateral facial vessels,
hence contra-lateral superior thyroid artery was used as the recipient vessel.
Figure 5: Mandible defects extended from one angle to contra-lateral parasymphyseal region
and beyond in other cases
Figure 6: Fabricated free osteocutaneous fibula flap
Table 1
Clinical details of the patients
|
Age/Sex
|
Previous H/O Minor Intra Oral Bleeding
|
H/O Previous Embolisations
|
Time of surgery post embolisation
|
Extent of the Mandible Resection
|
Recipient vessels
|
|
CFV: Common facial vein, EJV: External jugular vein
|
|
16/M
|
3 episodes
|
2 episodes
|
7 days
|
Right angle to left first molar teeth
|
Left facial A, CFV and EJV
|
|
20/F
|
5 episodes
|
No
|
3 days
|
Left angle to right first molar
|
Right superior thyroid, CFV, EJV
|
|
23/F
|
4 episodes
|
3 episodes
|
2 days
|
Right subcondylar to left canine
|
Right superior thyroid A, middle thyroid V and EJV
|
|
12/F
|
9 episodes
|
No
|
5 days
|
Right ramus to left angle
|
Left facial A, facial V and EJV
|
The single osteotomy was done in three cases, one patient needed two osteotomies.
All the skeletal fixations were done using titanium mini plates.
External jugular vein, facial accompanying veins or a tributary of internal jugular
veins were used for venous anastomosis.
Skin paddle was used as mucosa in two patients, and in the other two cases, skin paddle
was used to reconstruct the mucosa and 80% of the lower lip and chin [[Figure 7]].
Figure 7: Skin paddle was used as mucosa in two patients, and skin and mucosa in other two
cases
There were no re explorations or flap failures either complete or partial. All the
patients were discharged between the 14th and 17th day following the surgery. Patients were followed up regularly, for a minimum period
of 6 months to more than 2 years [[Figure 8]].
Figure 8: Follow up computed tomography scan following resection and primary reconstruction
of mandible with osteocutaneous free fibula flap
One patient needed palmaris longus graft for restoration of continence for more than
80% lower lip loss and chin. Two patients needed skin paddle adjustments. One patient
had shown plate breakage at the angle region with the anterior displacement of the
ramus, at 2 years follow-up, but functionally patient did not complain any problem.
The CT scan did not show any evidence of recurrence, patient underwent refixation
of the segments. All the four patients were satisfied with the outcome [[Figures 9]
[10]
[11]
[12]].
Figure 9: Case 1: (a) - Pre -operativeOp 12 yearrss child with bleeding, (b and c) – computed
tomography CT Angiogram, (d) - Angiogram, (e) – Bleeding from the tooth (f) - external
carotid arteryECA control, (g) - resected segment (h) – Post-resection defect, (i-k)
– 6 months follow up
Figure 10: Case 2: (a) – Pre-operative, (b and c)- angiogram, (d and e) - Surgical resection
and reconstruction, (f and h) – Follow up 16 months, (g) – Post -operativeOP computed
tomographyCT scan
Figure 11: Case 3: (a) – Pre -operative, (b) – angiogram, (c) - external carotid arteryECA control,
(d-f) surgical resection and reconstruction, (g) - 18 months follow up, (h) –refixation
of broken plate and and 24 months follow up
Figure 12: Case 4: (a) – pre-operative, (b) – Angiogram, (c and d) – Surgical resection, (e
and f) – 28 months follow up
Patients were further counselled for dental rehabilitation.
DISCUSSION
AVM arising from the mandible are very rare. It can present with potentially life-threatening
intraoral bleeding for the first time that may even lead to death because of severe
exsanguination.[[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]]
Intraosseous vascular malformations are rare (1%), about half of them occur in the
skull and maxillofacial region. More commonly seen in the mandible than in the maxilla,
with a female predominance.[[7]
[8]]
They occur due to errors during the embryogenesis, and may not be visible even though
they are present at the time of birth. Most of the patients are children or adolescents.[[6]
[9]
[10]
[11]
[12]
[13]] Puberty and pregnancy-induced hormonal changes influence and trigger the rapid
growth.[[9]] Clinical presentations may include slow-growing expansile mass, repeated minor
bleeding from the gingiva due to trivial trauma, such as brushing, loosening of teeth,
numbness over the lower lip area, deformity of the lower jaw and malocclusion. Severe
bleeding during tooth extraction or biopsy of the swelling can cause haemorrhagic
shock and death.[[12]
[13]
[14]
[15]
[16]
[17]]
Radiologically, it may appear as a radiolucent lesion or erosion of the alveolus with
apparently floating teeth. CT scans or MR imaging helps in knowing the extent of the
lesion, but angiogram is essential to know the feeding arteries, draining veins, the
flow rate and the collateral flow of the lesion, which are crucial for treatment.
lanning.[[12]] The treatment strategy, risk of recurrence and the potential for serious morbidity
will all depend on the haemodynamics of the lesion.
The lower pressures within the central vascular channels (Nidus) of the malformation
are the main driving forces for the surrounding feeding vessels. If the flow in any
of the proximal feeding vessels is obliterated without obliterating the nidus, the
haemodynamics in the vascular channels is compensated by immediate enlargement of
the remaining feeding vessels. This can happen by the recruitment of surrounding non-existing
feeders from other branches of ECA, vertebrobasilar system or the internal carotid
system either from the same side or contra-lateral side or from both sides.[[18]]
Management of the high-flow AVM mandible has been complex, especially when the patient
presents as an emergency with severe intraoral bleeding, and the associated morbidity
and mortality are significantly high.
The rarity of the lesion may limit the surgeon's exposure, and experience with its
management and the multidisciplinary team approach is essential for an ideal cure.
The basic aim of the treatment of AVM is to identify and remove the nidus completely
and thus avoid the recurrence.
Many nonsurgical and surgical treatment options have been proposed in the literature.
Embolisation using various materials is an established non-surgical method to obliterate
the AVM, though injection of sclerosing agents and radiotherapy[[19]
[20]
[21]] have been described. Ligation of external carotid artery has been described, presently
it is not practiced and not advisable as it promotes the rapid appearance of a collateral
circulation, and future embolization would be impossible.[[22]
[23]]
Various other embolisation techniques like approaching the lesion from both the arterial
and venous side, transosseous embolisations either through a direct puncture or transcutaneous
transosseous needle, buccal bur holes or through extraction sockets[[24]
[25]
[26]] have been reported as a definitive procedure or as an adjunct to surgical intervention.
Cyanoacrylate is the most commonly used material. Various reports mention that selective
embolisation using cyanoacrylate has been successful in obliterating the lesion and
bone regeneration without recurrence.[[27]] However, there have been reports on associated complications such as tissue inflammation,
infection, recurrent bleeding, late complications like osteomyelitis, osteonecrosis
that may need surgical intervention.[[28]]
Larger lesions need repeated embolisations to obliterate as many feeders as possible
and surgical intervention either to completely eradicate the residual lesion or reconstruction
in massive lesions.[[28]]
Whenever a large bleeding high flow intraosseous AVM is considered for treatment,
one must plan for an ideal cure. The gold standard for the treatment is super selective
embolisation of the nidus and the surgical resection. The standard approach includes
accurate diagnosis, selective embolisation and surgical resection of the lesion soon
after the embolisation (Larsen and Peterson 1993) preferably within 24–48 h to 7–14
days after the last embolisation to avoid development of collateral circulation.
The choice of surgical intervention depends on the size and location of the lesion
in the mandible and the age of the patient. Various surgical interventions described
in the literature include curettage through different approaches, extracorporeal curettage,
and replantation, resection and reconstruction either with autologous bone graft (vascularised
or nonvascularised) or alloplastic reconstruction plate.
Yoshiga reported an asymptomatic AVM mandible managed by repeated embolisations as
long as 7 years that were not amenable for any further embolisations and needed surgical
resection and replantation.[[14]]
Behnia et al. felt embolisations alone may not be the universal treatment option, and surgical
treatment may be needed. Their approach of trans mandibular curettage by proximal
osteotomy for small lesions, and the resection and immediate replantation for large
lesions avoided the need for bone graft while preserving the form and function.[[29]] Whereas Oka et al. used the resected part of the involved mandible as a crib to carry the cancellous
bone graft from the iliac crest and replanted it using a reconstruction plate.
A comprehensive study (Chen) on the effectiveness of various treatment modalities
like radiotherapy, injection sclerotherapy, bone wax packing and curettage, resection
of the bone etc., for oral and maxillofacial AVMs concluded that none of the lesions
were cured by embolisation alone and for the intraosseous AVMs surgical resection
is an effective method of the treatment for complete cure.[[30]]
There have been recent reports on surgical resection and microvascular reconstruction
of the AVM mandible following multiple embolisation procedures. These reconstructions
were performed in a stable patient as a delayed elective procedure.
Bagherzadegan et al. reported partial resection of AVM mandible and primary vascularised Ileac crest
graft 1 month after the last stabilisation procedure for severe recurrent bleeding
following several embolisations.[[31]]
Sakkas et al. reported a secondary reconstruction with a free fibular flap for a spontaneous fracture
of the mandible after 1 year that was managed by multiple embolisations including
intraosseous embolisation.[[12]]
Kaderbhai et al., reported segmental resection and reconstruction using a vascularised deep circumflex
iliac artery bone flap in two children (5 and 14 years) for recurrent life threatening
bleeding after repeated embolisations which were not amenable for further embolisations.
However, at 3 years follow-up one of the children had resorption of most of the bone,
and a subsequent fibula free flap was successfully undertaken.[[32]]
Thus the reports suggest that repeated embolisations may have logistic problems for
individual patients and may not be able to provide the definitive therapy. Reports
mention that patients who were embolised and planned for elective surgical intervention
may not agree for resection, and some may not come back for the surgery and finally
present with life-threatening bleeding due to massive recurrence.
We feel that large high flow AVM mandible presenting with life-threatening bleeding
may be considered for primary definitive therapy once the bleeding is controlled by
emergency embolisation and the patient is stabilised, thus avoiding any further complications.
In the present study, we would like to propose that our protocol for controlling the
bleeding facilitates emergency selective embolisation which allows aiming at definitive
therapy.
First and foremost priority in life-threatening intraoral bleeding from AVM is to
secure the airway, followed by temporary control of the bleeding. Achieving a temporary
loop ligature to control over the ipsilateral ECA with an umbilical tape is an effective
alternative approach to the ligation of ECA. This will immediately control the bleeding
and the patient can be considered for emergency embolisation.
Even a single selective embolisation procedure can effectively obliterate significant
flow of the lesion, and the bleeding is controlled most of the times. This allows
the further stabilisation and prepares the patient for definitive surgery.
In this series, primary curative resection and reconstruction were decided by the
conclusive discussion amongst the interventional radiologist and plastic surgeon based
on the extent of the lesion, flow dynamics and the risk of recurrent bleeding.
Primary free fibula reconstruction is an established procedure for mandibular reconstruction
from both aesthetic and functional point. Primary reconstruction has its own advantages
over the more complex secondary reconstruction due to previous surgical scarring and
accessibility to the reliable recipient vessels, even though the complication rates
were surprisingly similar.[[33]]
As most of the patients are young and immediately stabilises with resuscitation and
selective embolisation, we feel curative resection and primary free fibula reconstruction
of large AVM mandible presenting with life-threatening bleeding would be an ideal
option for good aesthetic and functional outcome while avoiding further complications.
