So I have had this small lump on my upper left arm for years, at least 5. It seems to have gotten more prominent but not sure if it has actually grown or it is because my arms have grown from strength training since May 2023. I am 72 years of age and in 2013 had a blood clot in the same upper arm due to surgery that was resolved a few months later but not sure if that is related or not.

I was at my primary MD a couple days ago for routine exam and he had not even noticed it so said what is this? He looked at it and listened to it as it is right on a vein. He doesn't think its a big deal but wrote me an order for ultra sounds of my left arm. The ultra sound radiologist report says I have an AV fistula which is a spot where a vein an artery are unnaturally connected. They are not sure how these occur but say usually from trauma/injury like a gunshot or knife wound or otherwise probably congenital which must be my case I guess.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/dis...-causes/syc-20369567

Later in September I have an appointment with a vascular surgeon for further evaluation and possible treatment. I don't have anything else weird going on with my arm/hand as in no weakness, pain, tingling, or numbness so far including after probably 150 or so strength training workouts which obviously use the arms extensively, especially upper body.

Just wondering if anyone else has been diagnosed with an AV fistula on the upper arm (not related to dialysis) and what you have experienced and any treatments/surgery and if so how those went and if you have any limitations on use of the arm.

Thanks for any feedback.

Fistula is about two inches above elbow joint toward outside of arm.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: grumpy1,

Its a simple silk tie and it'll stop stealing blood from the hand.

On a side note, I had a patient come into the OR about 30 years ago for a fistula removal, much like yours, but it had arterialized the vein, much like a dialysis fistula. We all said its working fine, why are we removing it? Well, the patient loudly stated that she wasn't on dialysis and it wasn't supposed to be there.

Much thanks for the very helpful reply TexasScrub.

I like seeing words like simple when it comes to a procedure. My primary MD said that intervention might not be needed but he wanted me to see a specialist for further evaluation. It's something I have been meaning to get checked out for a while now.

Ok, I'll add perhaps an inch long incision to access the anomaly, and hopefully sub-q stitches to close with strips or dermabond on the skin. Can probably be done under local in a day surgery atmosphere. I didn't ask if you were on any blood thinners or aspirin, so those also come into play 72 hours prior to any procedure, so check with your cardiologist if applicable.

quote:

Originally posted by grumpy1:
Much thanks for the very helpful reply TexasScrub.

I like seeing words like simple when it comes to a procedure. My primary MD said that intervention might not be needed but he wanted me to see a specialist for further evaluation. It's something I have been meaning to get checked out for a while now.

Understood and thanks again. I should have maybe said "not too complex" .