A successful embolization of a vertebral arteriovenous fistula.

As both congenital (AVM) and acquired arteriovenous malformations (fistulas) may cause congestive heart failure and aneurysm formation, they should be repaired. The surgicai management of a traumatic arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is the surgical division of the fistula and primary repair of the involved artery and vem’ or the ligation of the main feeding and draining vessels.2 The anatomic location of an AVF and its extent, may make surgical repair hazardous and difficuit. In such cases, nonsurgical arreriographic embolization techniques may be used to clog such AVF.’ Various materiais have been used for rherapeutic embolization such as Gelatin (Gel foam), polyvinyl aicohol (Ivalon), autogenous cloths, muscle, detachable balloons, silastic beads, steel tubing to which are attached cotton or wool threads,4 nylon brushes with a stainless steel5 and stainless-steel pellets or coils.6