[Maxillofacial vascular malformation associated with abnormal communication between external carotid and cranial arteries].

OBJECTIVE

To introduce the clinical characteristics of maxillofacial vascular malformation with abnormal communication between external carotid and cranial arteries.

METHODS

One hundred and twenty patients with maxillofacial vascular malformations had been studied by arteriography of internal and external carotid, and vertebral arteries before embolization of tumor supplying artery. Cases found to have communications between extra- and intra-cranial arteries were analyzed.

RESULTS

Fourteen patients (11.67%, 14/120) were found to have abnormal communications between external carotid and cranial arteries. Among them, 11 patients demonstrated communications between occipital and vertebral arteries, 1 patient showed ascending pharyngeal artery and vertebral artery communication, and 2 patients showed maxillary artery-ophthalmic artery communication.

CONCLUSION

Embolization of tumor supplying artery is a safe and practical method for the treatment of maxillofacial vascular malformation when done under digital subtraction angiography and superselective catheterization to avoid the abnormal communicant branches.