In patients with intra-osseous AV malformation of the mandible, which symptom might you observe?

Intra-osseous arteriovenous (AV) malformations in the mandible can lead to a variety of clinical symptoms. One notable symptom that may be observed is spontaneous gingival bleeding. This occurs due to the abnormal blood vessel connections within the AV malformation, which can result in increased vascular pressure and fragility of the surrounding tissues. As the abnormal vessels are prone to rupture or erosion of overlying mucosa, spontaneous bleeding from the gingival tissues can occur, making it a key indicator of this condition.

The presence of other symptoms, such as difficulty chewing, facial asymmetry, and pain in the jaw, can also be associated with intra-osseous AV malformations but are less specific. For instance, difficulty chewing may arise due to structural changes or complications resulting from the malformation itself. Similarly, facial asymmetry could occur due to vascular engorgement or expansion from the malformation but is not as direct an indication of the condition as spontaneous gingival bleeding. Pain in the jaw is a common symptom in many dental or maxillofacial conditions and thus does not specifically point towards an intra-osseous AV malformation. Spontaneous gingival bleeding stands out as a more distinctive symptom that directly relates to the vascular