Idiopathic radial artery aneurysm in the anatomical snuff box

Abstract

An otherwise fit and well 40-year-old left-handed male computer operator presented with a minimally symptomatic lump of 2 years duration in his non-dominant anatomical snuffbox. There was no history of trauma. This was pulsatile and did not transilluminate despite being referred as a ganglion. MRI scan confirmed the presence of a 1.5 cm radial artery aneurysm fed by the radial artery and draining to the second digital artery. In view of his lack of symptoms the patient declined surgical intervention. Literature review reveals radial artery aneurysms to be very rare and usually traumatic in origin. Iatrogenic pseudoaneurysms are widely reported following cannulation. We are unaware of previous descriptions of an idiopathic, isolated radial artery aneurysm.