Imaging Arteriovenous Fistulas

Abstract

Familiarity with the spectrum of imaging findings in AVFs is essential for the accurate interpretation of images and facilitates diagnosis and therapeutic management. Radiologists can play a critical role in the diagnosis and treatment of AVFs. Digital angiography is helpful in elaborating a vascular map for endovascular treatment.

Acquired Arteriovenous Fistula of the Breast Following Ultrasound Guided Biopsy of Invasive Ductal Carcinoma

“…[6] AVFs are classified as being congenital or acquired. Congenital AVFs (arteriovenous malformations) typically occur as a result of failure of differentiation between an artery and vein during embryology.…”

“…[3] Acquired AVFs can be the result of trauma, neoplasm, erosion of an arterial aneurysm or surgically created hemodialysis fistulas. [6] Penetrating trauma has been reported as the most common cause of acquired traumatic AVFs, accounting for 3% of all vascular injuries. Acquired AVFs generally demonstrate one large feeding artery and one large draining vein.…”

“…Angiography is most helpful for mapping the feeding arteries and draining veins for possible endovascular therapy, to include catheter embolization. [6] Surgical ligation was the treatment of choice for the prior two cases of AVFs, though surgical excision using sonographic guidance was opted for in this case as it was removed en-bloc with the adjacent cancer. [34]…”

Value of Sonographic Bidirectional Arterial Flow Combined With Elastography for Diagnosis of Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System Category 4 Breast Masses

“…To standardize the process of reporting breast masses, the American College of Radiology instituted the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI‐RADS) in 2003 2 , 3 . Subsequently, several authors demonstrated that the BI‐RADS features of margin, shape, orientation, lesion boundary, echo pattern, and posterior acoustic attenuation were significantly different for malignant and benign masses 4 .…”

Transarterial Coil Embolization of an Abdominal Aortocaval Fistula in a Dog

“…In this case, localization could indicate possible origin from the testicular artery, but the history and clinical evaluation alone did not provide any information that allowed identification of the origin of the fistula. Typically, the clinical presentation (including signs of high‐output cardiac failure and an asymptomatic pulsatile abdominal mass) has been reported in 20–50% of human patients diagnosed with AVF 3, 4, 5. Origin, size, localization, and evolution time of the fistula determine the degree of hemodynamic disturbances.…”