OBJECTIVETo investigate the dangerous anastomasis between the external carotid artery and the intracranial arteries.

METHODSAngiograms of the external carotid artery in 250 cases were analyzed, including 35 cases of moyamoya and 215 cases of head and neck lesions.

RESULTSThe 35 cases of moyamoya, 14 middle meningeal arteries (MMA) were found to participate in the blood supply of the brain. In addition, 11 superficial temporal arteries and 7 occipital arteries supplied the brain. All the cases with ligated external carotid artery (ECA) had the pharyngo-occipital anastomasis. Moreover, the ophthalmic arteries in three cases were found to originate from the MMA.

CONCLUSIONSThe external carotid artery has a variety of anastomasis with the internal carotid artery (ICA) and the vertebral artery. Under such circumstances, special measures must be taken to circumvent inadvertent intracranial embolization.

Carotid Artery Diseases ; diagnostic imaging ; Carotid Artery, External ; diagnostic imaging ; Cerebral Arteries ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Radiography

PURPOSE: To explore the diagnosis and treatment of traumatic external carotid branch pseudoaneurysms. METHODS: Eleven cases of traumatic external carotid artery branch pseudoaneurysms were admitted in our hospital. Digital subtraction angiography was performed in all patients. It revealed that the pseudoaneurysms originated from the internal maxillary artery in 5 cases, superficial temporal artery in 5 cases and occipital artery in 1 case. Five cases of internal maxillary artery pseudoaneurysms and 2 cases of superficial temporal artery pseudoaneurysms were treated by embolization; the other 3 cases were surgically resected. RESULTS: Complete cessation of nasal bleeding was achieved in all the 5 pseudoaneurysms of internal maxillary artery after the endovascular therapies. Scalp bleeding stopped and scalp defect healed up in 2 patients with superficial temporal artery pseudoaneurysms treated by interventional therapy. All patients were followed up for 0.5-2.0 years without recurrence of nosebleed and scalp lump. CONCLUSION For patients with repeated severe epistaxis after craniocerebral injury, digital subtraction angiography should be performed as soon as possible to confirm traumatic pseudoaneurysm. Endovascular therapy is an effective method for traumatic internal maxillary artery pseudoaneurysms. For patients with scalp injuries and pulsatile lumps, further examinations including digital subtraction angiography should be performed to confirm the diagnosis. Surgical treatment or endovascular therapy for scalp traumatic pseudoaneurysm is effective.
Aneurysm, False/therapy* ; Angiography, Digital Subtraction ; Carotid Artery Injuries/therapy* ; Carotid Artery, External/diagnostic imaging* ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; Humans

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical classification and ideal therapy for maxillofacial AVMs.

METHODSAccording to the clinical characteristics, 106 patients with maxillofacial AVMs were divided into the 4 types Of them, 38 cases were cystic dilatation lesions, 22 cases were limited thicken lesions, 42 case were diffuse thicken lesions, 4 cases were central maxillary hemangioma. 106 patients with maxillofacial AVMs were treated in our hospital, of them, 8 cases received operation (group 1); 23 cases received embolization of supplying artery alone (group 2); 37 cases received embolization of supplying artery plus hardener intra-tumorous injection (group 3); 38 cases received embolization of supplying artery plus tumor resection (group 4).

RESULTSOf all the patients were followed up 1 - 11 years, In group 1, 2, 3, and 4, the cure rates is 62.50%, 17.39%, 89.19%, and 97.37% respectively. one patient died of embolization of abnormal communication branches between external carotid and intra-cranical arteries.

CONCLUSIONS(1) This new clinical classification is beneficial for selecting method of treatment. (2) It is necessary that a good digital subtraction angiography for maxillofacial AVMs. (3) The embolization of tumor supplying artery alone could cure the small AVM with single branch terminal blood supply. (4) The embolization of supplying artery plus hardener intratumorous injection or the embolization of supplying artery plus tumor resection is an effective method for maxillofacial AVMs.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Angiography, Digital Subtraction ; Arteriovenous Malformations ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Carotid Artery, External ; diagnostic imaging ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Jaw ; blood supply ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mouth ; blood supply ; Sclerotherapy