Hi Norma,
The institution where I used to work was a center for embolotherapy of
arterio-venous malformations (AVM), arteriovenous fistulas(AVM), and
venous malformation (VM). We routinely scanned patients pre and post
embolization. I've seen a number of venous malformations that do not have
an arterial pre-capillary component or communication. Venous
malformations may be extensive, with large multiple varix-type
components, or they may be small, with subtle channels and "sponge-like"
structures. Both types can be very disfiguring and can occur most
anywhere in the body. I have a handout , with additional references, that
describes these vascular malformations. I'd be glad to fax it to you.
Rob Daigle
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-----Original Message-----
From: Norma VandenBerghe [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Wednesday, April 12, 2000 8:26 PM
To: Robd; UVMFLOWNET
Subject: A-V malformations
I have a question about using duplex US to identify and localize
congenital arterio-venous malformations. I have had a few cases through
the years, and have not really had much luck with tracking the little
devils down. I have been able to predict a couple of intracranial cases
based on the differences between the flow signals in the two carotid
arteries. But in the extremities, as on the child I saw today with
hugely distended veins and even small venous ulcerations on his left
leg, they have remained elusive. I looked at the entire arterial system
for low resistance or turbulence; I looked at the entire venous system
for arterialized flow, pulsation, etc. And found nothing. No
difference compared to the same site on the unaffected right leg. I
looked at iliacs and all the way down the leg. I tried to just look for
abnormal color flow. I looked with velocity scale set high. Set low.
Gain up, down etc. Nothing.
Have others had more success than I have? I feel like I must be
overlooking something.
Thanks! Norma V.
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