External Carotid Arteriovenous Fistulae

Abstract

The term "arteriovenous (AV) fistula" is reserved for those lesions where a definite AV shunt occurs. Acquired carotid-jugular AV fistulae are traumatic in origin. They usually present after a latent period as a mass with thrill, bruit, and tinnitus. Surgical extirpation is the recommended treatment. Special emphasis is placed on the need for angiography to rule out common or internal carotid artery involvement which would require special vascular presentation techniques. Even though congenital fistulae of head and neck are rare, the head-and-neck surgeon is admonished to assign special significance to a cervical venous hum in the nonpediatric or neurologically at-risk patient.