Vascular malformations of the mandible (intraosseous haemangiomas). The importance of preoperative embolization. A study of 9 cases.

Haemangiomas of the mandible are relatively rare arteriovenous malformations: 85 cases have been described since 1849. The severe risk of bleeding during tooth extraction or biopsy led us to describe the radiological and angiographic features of this condition. The afferent vessels are the inferior dental, the lingual, and the facial arteries. Preoperative embolization reduces the risk of bleeding at operation. Surgical treatment must assure the complete removal of the lesion. Radiotherapy and vascular ligatures are useless and dangerous.