Parotid gland arteriovenous malformation embolisation A novel approach to the use of precipitating hydrophobic injectable liquid (PHIL)

Aigars Lacis, Karlis Kupcs, Janis Savlovskis, Helmuts Kidikas

Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) develop due to a failure of differentiation in the early stages of embryogenesis. AVMs are characterised by an abnormal connection between feeding arteries and draining veins by an intervening of pathologic blood vessels network (nidus). The bypassing of the capillary system results in high-flow arteriovenous blood shunting. AVM of the parotid gland (PG) is an extremely rare condition with very few reported cases in the literature. Treatment options include embolisation, laser, cryotherapy, corticosteroids and the surgical resection of the PG. Embolisation using a wide variety of liquid embolic agents (LEAs) plays a key role in the treatment of PG AVM. The novel use of an iodinated copolymer- based precipitating hydrophobic injectable liquid (PHIL) for trans-arterial embolisation of PG AVM is safe, feasible and effective.