Use of carotid compression in a patient with arteriovenous malformation.

We report a case of a patient with a high flow arteriovenous malformation (AVM)i n the orbit, who developed a severe compartment syndrome, and was successfully treated with manual carotid compressions. The patient suffered a progressive proptosis, restriction of ocular motility and decreased of the visual acuity of the right eye. Embolization had a high risk of serious complications due to fistula location, so an alternative treatment consisting in carotid compressions was prescribed. Manual carotid compression is a non-invasive alternative technique to treat AVMs in patients with high risk of embolization episodes.