Systemic Arteriovenous Fistulas of the Head and Neck in Children and Endovascular Therapy

Systemic arteriovenous fistulas of the head and neck are rare lesions. Seven children with systemic arteriovenous fistulas of the head and neck region (five spontaneous and two traumatic) were treated by endovascular embolization techniques, resulting in complete fistula closure in all patients. Five patients had vertebral arteriovenous fistula. In two patients arteriovenous fistulas were supplied by branches of the external carotid artery. Six patients were treated by transarterial balloon embolization. In one patient, detachable coils were placed to the fistula site by transarterially and transvenously. This rare condition and its endovascular therapy in children were discussed in this article.