A Case of Transcatheter Coil Embolization of Diffuse Pulmonary Arteriovenous Malformation

ABSTRACT

This is a case report of multiple coil embolization for the diffuse pulmonary arteriovenous malformations(PAVM). PAVMs are direct communications between pulmonary arteries and pulmonary veins, resulting in an anatomic right-to-left shunt that may cause paradoxical embolization to may occur, resulting in neurologic complications such as stroke or cerebral abscess. The treatment of choice for solitary PAVMs was limited to surgical resection or ligation of the PAVM but, multiple PAVMs present a difficult management problem, since surgical resection is not feasible in most instances. The coil embolization is a safe and effective treatment of multiple PAVMs. Our exprience was of a 5-year-old boy who had cyanosis and clubbing of his finger, and was diagnosed with multiple PAVMs by chest CT and pulmonary angiography. The coil embolization was peformed, thirteen vessels were successfully occluded and no complication in placement of coils occured. Embolization therapy should be performed in all cases of PAVMs to prevent neurologic complications.