Arteriovenous Fistulas are benign cutaneous vascular anomalies that I occasionally encounter in both my The Woodlands dermatology and Conroe dermatology offices. An Arterovenous Fistula forms when a connection is made between an artery and a vein and the normal capillary bed that blood diffuses through under low pressure is bypassed. Arteriovenous Fistulas may be acquired later in life or present congenitally. They most common site of an acquired Arteriovenous Fistula is on the extremities as a result of trauma or intentionally done surgically to create dialysis access. The skin over an Arteriovenous Fistula is usually very warm with excess hair growth and may have a red/purple appearance. Sometimes the affected extremity may be larger than its counterpart. Treatment of Arteriovenous Fistulas is usually through excision.
