Mandibular Arteriovenous Malformation

Arteriovenous (AV) malformation is a congenital vascular anomaly in which there is an abnormal connection between the arterial and venous system resulting from developmental arrest during embryogenesis. In children, they are rare and potentially life-threatening. In the present case, an 8-year-old male patient presented with a simple gingival swelling associated with mobility of the corresponding teeth, which appeared relatively simple to excise but had an AV malformation associated with it. Timely diagnosis and investigations revealed its presence and hence prevented a catastrophy from occurring. Conventional method of surgical ligation of the external carotid artery was done as an emergency procedure and surgical resection was done without compromising the associated anatomic structures. This procedure helped control the bleeding as well as achieved an uneventful healing. This case report intends to create an awareness among Pediatric Dentists regarding the condition and thereby preventing an uncontrolled and unmanageable hemorrhage occurring in the Dental Office.