Superficial temporal arteriovenous fistula as a complication of rhytidectomy

J Craniofac Surg. 2012 Mar;23(2):603-5. doi: 10.1097/SCS.0b013e31824cd803.

Abstract

A 67-year-old woman who had undergone rhytidectomy 5 years before her presentation experienced increasing pulsatile tinnitus on the left side that had begun 2 years earlier. Angiography revealed a direct arteriovenous fistula between the superficial temporal artery and superficial temporal vein in front of her left ear. There was a scar from the earlier cosmetic surgery at the site. The fistula was embolized with N-butyl cyanoacrylate, and her tinnitus disappeared. We posit that the fistula was a complication of rhytidectomy and that a small arteriovenous fistula formed at the time of surgery and enlarged over time. This case indicates that arteriovenous fistulae can occur as a delayed complication of cosmetic surgery.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Arteriovenous Fistula / etiology*
  • Arteriovenous Fistula / therapy*
  • Cyanoacrylates / administration & dosage
  • Embolization, Therapeutic / methods*
  • Ethiodized Oil / administration & dosage
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Postoperative Complications / etiology*
  • Postoperative Complications / therapy*
  • Rhytidoplasty*
  • Temporal Arteries*
  • Tinnitus / etiology

Substances

  • Cyanoacrylates
  • Ethiodized Oil