Case study: Systemic complications following absolute alcohol embolisation of scalp arteriovenous malformation

Abstract

Alcohol ablation is an accepted technique for the management of arteriovenous malformations. It is preferred due to the unique property of absolute alcohol to cause complete ablation and prevention of revascularisation. However, this technique is associated with multiple complications which may lead to patient morbidity. Here the case is presented of a female patient with scalp arteriovenous malformation who underwent alcohol ablation and developed supraventricular arrhythmia accompanied with haemodynamic instability and intravascular haemolysis in the postoperative period.