Traumatic arteriovenous fistula of the scalp. Case report.

A case of an arteriovenous fistula resulting from an air-rifle pellet injury to the scalp is reported. Traumatic arteriovenous fistulas of the scalp are rare lesions. A suggested pathogenesis is a disruption of the arterial wall and its vasa vasorum with endothelial proliferation to adjacent veins. Classically, these fistulas are described as single channels, but more commonly they consist of multiple connections. Angiography is necessary to delineate the full extent of the lesions unless they are extremely small. Careful complete excision is the definitive management, as recurrences are common.