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Background: Hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is characterized by the presence of telangiectases and larger arteriovenous malformations in different organs. Mucocutaneous telangiectases can bleed and become an aesthetic concern, impairing quality of life (QoL). However, the best treatment approach has not been defined yet. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of dual wavelength sequential 595/1064 nm laser (DWSL) compared to 1064 nm laser (Nd:YAG) alone. Secondarily, to evaluate QoL impairment in HHT patients, and its improvement with laser therapy. Methods: A comparative randomized split-body double-blinded prospective study (DWSL vs Nd:YAG). Demographic, clinical and treatment characteristics were recorded. The severity and degree of improvement were evaluated by three blinded examiners who scored pre-treatment and post-treatment pictures on a 5-point scale. Patients fulfilled Skindex-29 and FACE-Q® tests and assessed procedure-associated pain and patient satisfaction. Results: 111 treatment areas (55 treated with DWSL and 56 with Nd:YAG) from 26 patients were analyzed. The median number of laser sessions was 2 (interquartile range [IQR] 2–4; mean 2.90 vs 2.88, respectively). The median improvement score, irrespective of location, was significantly higher for Nd:YAG compared to DWSL: 3 (IQR 2–3; mean 2.61) vs 2 (IQR 2–3; mean 2.32), p = 0.031. Both FACE-Q index and Skindex-29 test results improved significantly (p

As malformações arteriovenosas pulmonares (MAVP) estão associadas a telangiectasia hemorrágica hereditária em cerca de 70% dos casos, podendo cursar com complicações neurológicas graves decorrentes do embolismo paradoxal potencial. A terapêutica das malformações é realizada no sentido de prevenir estas complicações. Descreve-se o caso clínico de uma doente com duas MAVP, no contexto de telangiectasia hemorrágica hereditária,submetida a embolização com o rolhão vascular Amplatzer. Este novo dispositivo é cada vez mais utilizado nestas situações, salientando-se algumas das suas características e vantagens em relação a outras técnicas de embolização mais frequentemente utilizadas.Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) are associated to hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia in about 70% of the cases. PAVMs are associated to serious neurologic complications, secondary to inherent paradoxical embolisms. Treatment of the malformations is done to prevent these complications. The authors report a clinical case of a patient with two PAVMs, with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, who was treated by embolization with na Amplatzer vascular plug, a new device increasingly used in these situations. The authors emphasise some of its characteristics and advantages when compared with other embolization techniques most commonly used.

As malformações arteriovenosas pulmonares são raras e mais de metade dos casos surgem em associação a telangiectasia hemorrágica hereditária. Faz-se uma revisão teórica sobre a apresentação clínica, abordagem diagnóstica, terapêutica e prognóstico destas malformações vasculares. Estão associadas a morbilidade e mortalidade consideráveis, pelo que se preconiza o seu tratamento, assim como o rastreio dos familiares directos quando se identificam malformações arteriovenosas pulmonares num doente com telangiectasia hemorrágica hereditária. Ainda não existem estudos prospectivos que estabeleçam o melhor plano de estudo do doente e seus familiares. Descrevem-se dois casos clínicos de malformações arteriovenosas pulmonares no contexto familiar de telangiectasia hemorrágica hereditária. A identificação das doentes implicou o rastreio familiar que permitiu detectar malformações arteriovenosas pulmonares em dois familiares e excluir o envolvimento pulmonar em quatro familiares com a doença.Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations are a rare disorder associated to hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia in over 50% of the cases. Clinical presentation, diagnostic work-up, therapeutic options and prognosis are reviewed by the authors. Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations are known to have considerable morbidity and mortality, their treatmentbeing advisable as well as their screening among family members, especially if the index case is diagnosed with both pulmonary arteriovenous malformations and hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. To this moment prospective studies establishing the best diagnostic work-up for the patients and their families are lacking. The authors report two pulmonary arteriovenous malformations cases in a family with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. Patient’s diagnosis led to family screening which resulted in the identification of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations in two family members and pulmonary disease exclusion in four patients previously known to have hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia.