Carotid arteriovenous fistula in the neck as a result of a facial laceration.

Facial lacerations due to penetrating trauma can be deceptive at first glance. The importance of proper wound evaluation and management is illustrated in the case of a patient who sustained a laceration to the face and subsequently developed an arterio-venous fistula in Zone III of the neck. In considering diagnostic studies for evaluation of penetrating wounds to the face, special attention should be placed upon the wounding device, direction, force, and underlying neurovascular structures.