Arteriovenous Fistula Following Thyroidectomy Presenting with Cardiac Failure—A Case Report

Abstract

An arteriovenous fistula between the thyrocervical trunk and the transverse cervical vein is described, diagnosed four years after thyroidectomy. This unu sual fistula produced signs of cardiac failure and the bruit was discovered on careful physical examination. Although a systolic/diastolic bruit may be gener ated by arterial occlusive disease of the carotid artery, the presence of a continu ous cervical bruit in close proximity to a scar should suggest an arteriovenous fistula.