Pulmonary embolism following histoacryl glue embolization for a large thigh arteriovenous malformation

Arteriovenous malformation (AVM) are commonly congenital in origin. We hereby describe the case of a 24-year-old male who was diagnosed of left thigh intramuscular AVM at the time of 14 years old. The computerized tomography (CT) scan confirmed a large deep seated intramuscular AVM with the size of 20 x 15 cm, with dilated and distended feeding vessel from profunda femoris artery (PFA) and superficial femoral artery (SFA). He also had another AVM near the left supracondylar region adherent to the sciatic nerve. The main AVM lesion was earlier treated with surgical resection and it remained for asymptomatic for next seven years. Following this, the patient presented again to the clinic with recurring swelling, pain and occasional paraesthesia on the same site. He was then managed with a series of embolization (total of 6 attempts) with histoacryl glue. These attempts of embolization were successful. The interesting case of pulmonary embolism due histoacryl glue following embolization of an AVM is described. Clin Ter 2012; 163(5):393-395