Severe hemorrhage from an arteriovenous malformation of the mandible: report of case.

A case of a potentially lethal arteriovenous malformation of the mandibular bone in a 6.5-year-old girl is reported. Diagnosis is often difficult and the AVM may be discovered only when a tooth is extracted. The intent of the preceding report is to alert dental practitioners to the need for immediate control of abnormal bleeding from an extraction socket, because of the potentially lethal consequences. Failure to respond quickly to profuse bleeding of this type could result in the death of the patient by exsanguination.