A case of arteriovenous fistula of the mandible

Abstract

A case of arteriovenous fistula of the mandible was reported. A 54 year old man visited our hospital and complained of mobility of left lower molar. On the first visit he had a diffuse swelling at the left mandibular gingiva but gingiva showed healthy color.
Orthopantomography showed extending radiolucent lesion from 1 to 6, and it was suspected to be cyst or some benign tumor. We carried out biopsy at P gingiva and then severe hemorrhage occurred. Tamponade and some hemostatic techniques were not effective. Emergency operaion of ligation of external carotid artery was carried out under local anestheisa, so hemorrhage stopped. Clinical diagnosis was hemangioma in mandible.
At 4 weeks after operation, gingiva was swelling again, and partial resection of the mandible was performed and reconstructed with A-0 reconstruction plate. The postoperative course was entirely good and without recurrence.
The pathological diagnosis was arteriovenous fistula.