Giant slow flow vascular malformation of the posterior pharyngeal wall: a rare entity

Nitish Baisakhiya; Ankit Mishra; Shilpi Parihar; Awani Srivastava

doi:10.18203/issn.2454-5929.ijohns20260806

Authors

Nitish Baisakhiya Department of Otorhinolaryngology, L. N. Medical College, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
Ankit Mishra Department of Otorhinolaryngology, L. N. Medical College, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
Shilpi Parihar Department of Otorhinolaryngology, L. N. Medical College, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
Awani Srivastava Department of Otorhinolaryngology, L. N. Medical College, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/issn.2454-5929.ijohns20260806

Keywords:

Arteriovenous malformation, Vascular malformation, Posterior pharyngeal wall, Oropharyngeal mass, Stertor, Tracheostomy

Abstract

Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) involving the posterior pharyngeal wall are sporadic and pose significant clinical and surgical challenges due to their proximity to vital airway and vascular structures. We report a case of a large posterior pharyngeal AVM in a 52-year-old male, presenting with stertor, progressive dysphonia, dysphagia, and oropharyngeal swelling. Imaging revealed a non-infiltrative vascular lesion occupying the oropharynx and extending from the lower nasopharynx up to the valleculae level. The lesion was successfully excised via microscope-assisted intraoral surgery following elective tracheostomy. Postoperative follow-up showed complete recovery without recurrence. It is the largest size of slow-flowing AVM in the posterior pharyngeal wall reported in the English literature till date. This case underscores the importance of early recognition, imaging, and a multidisciplinary approach for managing complex vascular lesions of the upper aerodigestive tract (posterior pharyngeal wall).

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