Auricular arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are rare vascular anomalies, being the second most prevalent after cheek AVMs. Their management presents challenges.
Objective:
We aim to explore the clinical presentation of ear AVMs, highlighting a unique pattern of focal auricular AVM.
Methods:
A retrospective review was conducted over 7 years, focusing on patients diagnosed with focal auricular AVMs. Exclusions included non-AVM diagnosis, adjacent anatomical site extensions, and lack of patient information or photos.
Results:
Twenty-two patients with auricular AVMs were identified, 13/22 with isolated focal AVMs, 8/13 females, 5/13 males, 5/13 with right ear involvement, and 8/13 with left ear involvement. A consistent presentation involving the upper 2/3 of the pinna while sparing the root of the helix/tragus/antitragus/concha and lobule was noticed.
Conclusion:
This study focuses on focal auricular AVMs, revealing a uniform pattern while sparing specific structures. Embryological evaluation, vascular supply analysis, and angiosome theory shed light on potential tissue layers as the nidus in those cases.
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