Arteriovenous Malformation of the Mandible: A Case Report

An arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is an abnormal shunt between arteries and veins that bypass the capillary bed. A 38-year-old female presented with a carious, non-restorable maxillary molar requiring extraction. The radiographic evaluation revealed the incidental finding of an asymptomatic radiolucent lesion of the right mandibular ramus. Based on clinical and radiographic findings in association with the location of the lesion, the patient was treated in the hospital setting. Further evaluation of the area revealed the lesion to be of vascular origin, requiring embolization. The incidental discovery of this radiographic finding underscores the need for extreme caution when considering surgical intervention in the presence of unexplained bony changes, as an AVM of the head and neck poses a risk of acute hemorrhage. Comprehensive imaging, thorough diagnostic workups, and proper biopsy protocols with these associated lesions play a critical role in identifying life-threatening vascular pathologies.