• K W Dickey, J S Pollak, G H Meier, D F Denny, and R I White.
• Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA.
• J Vasc Interv Radiol. 1995 Sep 1; 6 (5): 765-73.

PurposeTo evaluate the efficacy of transcatheter embolization of arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) of the shoulder and upper extremity.Patients And MethodsFour men with large AVMs of the shoulder and upper extremity were treated with transcatheter arterial embolization. Symptoms included high cardiac output, pain, paresthesias, and disfigurement. Each patient underwent multiple sessions of embolotherapy.ResultsIn two patients there was no decrease in cardiac output. In three patients, no permanent decrease in AVM size or resolution of pain was achieved. Two patients experienced postembolization skin necrosis, and one experienced permanent radial neuropathy.ConclusionsLarge, high-flow AVMs in the shoulder and upper extremity may be relatively refractory to intravascular treatment because of the diffuse involvement of the soft tissues by the AVM and the lack of a well-defined nidus. Transcatheter embolotherapy in these lesions should be reserved for patients undergoing resection to help decrease intraoperative bleeding.

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