Objective To investigate the imaging features of idiopathic hepatic arteriovenous malformation（IHAVM） on multi-detector row spiral CT (MDCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods Nineteen patients with IHAVM between January 2009 and June 2010 were included for retrospective analysis of the imaging findings on MDCT (n=9) and MRI (n=10), especially the imaging features of IHAVM on contrast-enhanced dynamic scans. Results All IHAVM lesions in 9 patients were isodense in plain scan of MDCT, and showed marked small nodular or linear enhancement with similar intensity to vascular enhancement in arterial phase, and the enhancement continued to persist to portal phase but with reduced enhancement degree. Early visualization of venous tributaries in arterial phase was present in 4 cases, and wedge-shaped or lamellar transient hepatic parenchyma enhancement in arterial phase in the edge of the lesion was observed in 6 cases. In 10 patients with MRI scan, the enhancement patterns of IHAVM were quite similar to the findings on MDCT, with early visualization of venous tributaries in arterial phase in 5 cases and wedge-shaped transient hepatic parenchyma enhancement in arterial phase in the edge of the IHAVM lesion in 7 cases. Conclusion Contrast-enhanced multi-phase MDCT and MRI scans can depict the morphologic and hemodynamic characteristics of IHAVM, thus they are very valuable for the diagnosis of IHAVM.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the feasibil ity and effectiveness of suture ligation combined with super-wet tumescent technique to replace embolization before surgical resection of peri pheral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) of the head and neck. MethodsBetween July 2007 and November 2010, 9 patients with peri pheral AVMs of the head and neck were treated, including 4 males and 5 females with a median age of 21 years (range, 8 months to 55 years). The causes were congenital malformation in 6 cases, trauma in 2 cases, and unknown origin in 1 case. The lesions were located at the frontotemporal region in 2 patients, cheek in 2 patients, occi pitocervical region in 2 patients, temporoparietal region in 1 patient, upper lip in 1 patient, and lower lip in 1 patient. The size of the AVMs lesions ranged from 2.2 cm×1.2 cm to 13.0 cm×10.0 cm. Of 9 cases, 8 were classified as Schobinger gradeⅡand 1 as gradeⅢ. The AVMs involved 2 to 7 main nutrient arteries, with a diameter range of 1.7-3.1 mm. At one-stage operation, AVMs was removed and direct suture, skin graft or flaps were used for repair in 6 cases; the skin was expanded at one-stage operation, and then AVMs removal and repair were performed at twostage operation in 3 cases. Before resection of AVMs, No.7 silk suture was used to l igate the main nutrient vessels, and then annular interrupted suture of soft tissue was performed with the silk sutures around the lesions, at least two rings. Tumescent anesthetic solution was injected into lesions, and super wet end-point achieved. ResultsPartial incision dehiscence occurred in 1 patient; the flaps and grafting skin survived, and primary healing of incision was obtained in the other patients. The mean operation time was 136 minutes (range, 42-367 minutes). The mean intraoperative blood loss was 268 mL (range, 15-1 000 mL). Only 1 patient received 3 units of blood transfusion. All patients were followed up for 4.2 years on average (range, 2 years to 6 years and 6 months); there was no recurrence case. The self-assessment cosmetic results were excellent or good in 5 cases and fair in 4 cases. ConclusionIntensive suture ligation followed by super-wet tumescent techniques might partially substitute preoperative embolization to facil itate surgical resection of peri pheral AVMs of the head and neck, due to simple operation and less bleeding.