Pancreatic arteriovenous malformation

Definition

A rare visceral arteriovenous malformation of the pancreas characterized by abnormal blood flow from the arterial system directly into the venous system without passing through the capillaries. Patients may present with episodic gastrointestinal bleeding or hemoperitoneum, epigastric or abdominal pain, pancreatitis, portal hypertension, and pseudocysts. Some patients remain asymptomatic.