Endodontic Implications of A Patient With Arteriovenous Malformation: A Case Report and Literature Review
Endodontic Implications of A Patient With Arteriovenous Malformation: A Case Report and Literature Review
Endodontic Implications of A Patient With Arteriovenous Malformation: A Case Report and Literature Review
SHIVANGI JAIN
FIRST YEAR PG
AV Malformation
Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are rare vascular
lesions that can be life-threatening due to potential
massive hemorrhage.
AVMs can be subdivided according to the type of vessel
involved (capillary, venous, and arterial) or according to
hemodynamic features, into high-flow and low-flow lesions.
Oral Manifestation
Clinical signs and symptoms of AVM may include:
pain
erythematous gingiva
spontaneous gingival bleeding – most common clinical sign
resorption and mobility of teeth
soft tissue discoloration
facial swelling asymmetry
AV Malformation
Radiographically: AVMs are osteolytic and frequently have indistinct margins.
Computed tomography can demonstrate enhancement of the lesions, while
angiography can depict distended feeder vessels and arteriovenous shunts.
Magnetic resonance imaging can visualize flow voids in high-flow abnormalities.
CASE REPORT
Demographic details: 22 yr, male, Indian
Clinical Examination: slight expansion of the buccal cortex in the area of the left
mandibular second premolar (tooth 35), extending to the left mandibular second
molar (tooth 37) region, and associated hyperemic buccal mucosa, suggestive of
the underlying pathology. Teeth 35, 36 and 37 had Grade 1 mobility, and the left
mandibular second molar (tooth 37) was displaced lingually.
postoperative complication of
single dose of 2 gm amoxicillin
cellulitis on the left side of the face
as antibiotic prophylaxis, canal
resulting in gross facial asymmetry
filling was carried out with
After one month, of the same side extending to the
Protaper gutta-percha and AH 26
completion of root canal temporomandibular joint region
sealer using single wave warm
treatment done. along with a significant reduction in
vertical compaction and
mouth opening (inter-incisor
backfilled with thermoplastisized
distance; 20 mm) after
gutta-percha
angioembolization
DISCUSSION
A high-flow AVM has direct communication with the artery/arteries and a
vein/veins bypassing the capillary bed. AVM of the head and neck is a rare
vascular anomaly.
It is tenacious and gradually developing in nature with potentially life-
threatening complications, sometimes with a lethal outcome (Manjunath et al.
2014).
Lamberg et al. (1979) reported that intraosseous AVMs of the maxillofacial
region were often diagnosed due to tooth extraction or exfoliation, which
caused potentially fatal hemorrhage, as a result of lack of awareness by both the
patient and physician of the lesion.
DISCUSSION
AVM can present at any site in the oral cavity, the anterior two-thirds of the
tongue being the most common location.
Palate, gingivae and buccal mucosa are the other sites (Shetty et al. 2010).
The largest series of 81 AVMs observed lesions in the mandible (5%), maxilla
(4%), neck (5%), scalp (4%), cheek (31%), ear (16%), nose (10%), forehead (10%)
and upper lip (7%) (Kohout et al. 1998)
DISCUSSION
The oral manifestations related to AVM are
Macroglossia
Difficulty In Speech
Mastication
Deglutition.
The lesion is a pulsatile mass with a possible ‘thrill’, that is, a vibratory sensation may
be felt on the skin overlying an area of turbulence along, with local hyperthermia.
Ulcerations, bleeding and functional impairment due to ischaemia may be
observed (Duncan & Fourie 2004).
The presence of skin necrosis due to diminished nutritive flow, redness or a true
port-wine stain in the overlying skin has also been reported (Yu-Wei et al. 2011).
Bone resorption, root resorption, displacement of teeth, paraesthesia,
discoloration of the affected skin and intra-oral mucosal surfaces on the affected
area are the other features
The patient may also experience otalgia, epistaxis, ocular pain, facial asymmetry
and cosmetic distress
However, the triad of gingival bleeding, tooth mobility and presence of a
hypodense mass on a radiograph is almost pathognomonic of an AVM .
DISCUSSION
The present case was of symptomatic irreversible pulpitis with symptomatic
apical periodontitis for tooth 15 along with a bony AVM involving the left
submandibular region. Whilst undergoing root canal treatment, the case also
presented with an additional complication of restricted mouth opening along
with cellulitis extending from the medial pterygoid muscle to the
temporomandibular joint region. This was attributed as a complication of
angioembolization for which the patient was given antibiotics and kept under
observation for the swelling to subside. This focal swelling is frequently seen
after angioembolization in AVMs, which gradually subsides in 1–2 weeks.
Completion of root canal treatment was also delayed due to inaccessibility of
tooth 15 and was resumed after sufficient mouth opening was restored.
For diagnosing AVMs, multi-imaging modalities are recommended like:
Color duplex ultrasonography is the first line of imaging (Mahesh et al. 2003). It reveals high
vessel density and systolic flow.
MRI aids in the determination of the extent of AVM and also excludes a tumour presenting as
a typical mass effect which would be absent in AVM.
CT image: For the treatment of bony AVM, plays a vital role as it allows detection of the
magnitude of the lesion, its relationship to the teeth and the origin and position of feeding
blood vessels (Colletti et al. 2014).
Angiography is not a useful model for diagnosing AVM; however, it is considered the gold
standard for evaluating the feeding artery (arteries) and draining vein (veins) (Konez &
Burrows 2002, Colletti et al. 2014).
DISCUSSION
Orthopantomograms: revealed the presence of multilocular radiolucencies with
honeycomb or soap bubble appearance with small rounded or irregular lacunae
which were also seen in the present case (Manjunath et al. 2014).
However, this may be misinterpreted as odontogenic keratocyst,
ameloblastomas, ameloblastic fibromas, giant cell granulomas or malignant
primary or metastatic tumours (Mohammadi et al. 1997)
CONCLUSION
AVM in the oral cavity is rare and challenging to manage. Patients with AVM of
the Oro maxillary region pose several challenges, namely bleeding, hemorrhage
and increased risk of infection. Hence, dentists should be cognizant of its
diagnosis and take particular care in preventing and managing complications.
The restriction of instrumentation within the confines of the root canal will help
reduce the chances of bacteremia and hence decreases the chances of
complications associated with AVM. Standardized endodontic interventions
along with the use of amoxicillin or other antibiotics as single dose prophylaxis,
0.12% chlorhexidine mouthwash pre-procedure and good oral hygiene may be
helpful to reduce the risk of infection.
Cross references