Management of pancreatic arteriovenous malformation: Case report and literature review

Pancreatic arteriovenous malformation (P-AVM) is a rare vascular malformation. Fewer than 200 cases have been reported. The clinical manifestations lack specificity. Common symptoms include abdominal pain, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, and jaundice, which is easily confused with other disorders. A 42-year-old man received TAE due to abdominal pain caused by P-AVM in a local hospital, melena and abdominal pain occurred in a short time after TAE. The patient was diagnosed as P-AVM which was confirmed by computed tomography and digital subtraction angiography. A pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy was successfully performed after diagnosis was made. The patient recovered with no complications two weeks after surgery, and no sign of recurrence was found during the 4-mo follow-up period. In our experience, TAE may have limitations in the treatment of P-AVM and surgical resection should be considered as the treatment of choice.