Surgical Excision of Multi-layered Scalp AVM: Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Scalp arterio-venous malformations (AVM) are rare conditions that are congenital, traumatic, or post infectious in nature. These lesions may be found incidentally or owing to signs and symptoms that they produce, and they most often need surgical treatment. Here, we have reported our experience of the surgical management of multi-layered scalp AVM without interosseous intracranial connections with a short review of the literature. In this case report, we described the diagnosis, both the clinical and radiological features of a patient having a multi-layered scalp arteriovenous malformation existing in the galea and pericranial layers separately who underwent surgical excision of these lesions at Ibn Al Haitham Hospital without preoperative embolization and a follow-up period of 15 months. The lesions were successfully excised surgically; scalp cosmetic aspects were acceptable. There was no major postoperative complication or recurrence until last follow-up. We conclude that with appropriate preoperative surgical planning, scalp AVM can be excised without major complications leading to excellent outcome. However, preoperative embolization is increasingly used to reduce vascularity and hemorrhage during surgery.