Invasive investigation in cases of visceral AVM may be fatal: A rare case report

Visceral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are extremely rare with only a few cases described in the literature. We have encountered a mesenteric AVM in a 23-year-old girl. Considering the rarity of this entity and diagnostic dilemma, we herein describe a case of mesenteric AVM along with the review of literature. A 23-year-old female presented with pain and lump in lower abdomen. During her workup to conclude a final diagnosis, Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) was done. Post FNAC patient went into shock and immediately emergency laparotomy was done. The bleeding mass was resected along with involved gut and anastomosis was done. Histopathology suggested AVM. She was doing well at 2 months of follow up. AVM is the rare cause of ischaemic colitis. It can create a diagnostic dilemma with its unusual presentation and its rarity even for both radiologists and surgeons. Usually such malformation reported after trauma or any surgical intervention, but in our case there was no such history of trauma which makes this case more interesting. Invasive investigation is recommended in such condition but needs to be very cautious. As in this index case invasive procedure lead to severe bleeding. Although definitive treatment are embolization and surgery. Invasive procedure should be avoided in case of AVM. If angiography is not available its mandatory to keep operating room ready before any invasive procedure. •Only few cases of visceral arteriovenous malformations are reported in the literature.•Invasive investigation should be avoided in case of AVM.•Because of more lymphatic component sometimes contrast enhancement is not obvious.•The early surgical intervention is wise decision even in case of diagnosis dilemma.