Image-Guided Embolotherapy of Arteriovenous Malformations of the Face

Purpose To evaluate the safety and outcome of image-guided embolotherapy of extracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) primarily affecting the face. Materials and Methods A multicenter cohort of 28 patients presenting with AVMs primarily affecting the face was retrospectively investigated. Fifty image-guided embolotherapies were performed, mostly using ethylene–vinyl alcohol copolymer-based embolic agents. Clinical and imaging findings were assessed to evaluate response during follow-up (symptom-free, partial relief of symptoms, no improvement, and progression despite embolization), lesion devascularization (total, 100%; substantial, 76–99%; partial, 51–75%; failure, < 50%; and progression), and complication rates (classified according to the CIRSE guidelines). Sub-analyses regarding clinical outcome ( n = 24) were performed comparing patients with ( n = 12) or without ( n = 12) subsequent surgical resection after embolotherapy. Results The median number of embolotherapy sessions was 2.0 (range, 1–4). Clinical outcome after a mean follow-up of 12.4 months (± 13.3; n = 24) revealed a therapy response in 21/24 patients (87.5%). Imaging showed total devascularization in 14/24 patients (58.3%), including the 12 patients with subsequent surgery and 2 additional patients with embolotherapy only. Substantial devascularization (76–99%) was assessed in 7/24 patients (29.2%), and partial devascularization (51–75%) in 3/24 patients (12.5%). Complications occurred during/after 12/50 procedures (24.0%), including 18.0% major complications. Patients with subsequent surgical resections were more often symptom-free at the last follow-up compared to the group having undergone embolotherapy only ( p = 0.006). Conclusion Image-guided embolotherapy is safe and effective for treating extracranial AVMs of the face. Subsequent surgical resections after embolization may substantially improve patients’ clinical outcome, emphasizing the need for multimodal therapeutic concepts. Level of Evidence Level 4, Retrospective study.