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Case Reports
. 2014 Oct;96(7):e1-3.
doi: 10.1308/003588414X13946184900165.

Pseudoaneurysm of the superficial femoral artery after retrograde intramedullary nailing for a supracondylar femoral fracture

Ryosuke Hirota  1 , Makoto Emori, Toshiro Ito, Kota Watanabe, Akira Hirano, Tomoaki Kamiya, Yoshinori Terashima, Toshihiko Yamashita
Affiliations
Case Reports

Pseudoaneurysm of the superficial femoral artery after retrograde intramedullary nailing for a supracondylar femoral fracture

Ryosuke Hirota et al. Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 2014 Oct.

Abstract

Vascular complications of distal femoral fractures are rare but can have disastrous consequences if not recognised and treated promptly. We present the case of a 55-year-old woman who developed a pseudoaneurysm of the superficial femoral artery after osteosynthesis to repair a supracondylar femoral fracture. Eight weeks after surgery, swelling of the right thigh persisted and was accompanied by severe pain. Enhanced computed tomography revealed a pseudoaneurysm in the medial aspect of the affected thigh. Open surgical repair was performed by direct arterial suture. Although the true aetiology of the development of the pseudoaneurysm is unknown, a bony fragment from the reduction manoeuvre may have damaged the adventitia of the superficial femoral artery. In cases of continuous thigh swelling after osteosynthesis to repair a supracondylar femoral fracture, a diagnosis of pseudoaneurysm should be considered and treatment should be initiated immediately.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Radiography showing a supracondylar fracture of the right femur
Figure 2
Figure 2
Postoperative radiography of the right retrograde intramedullary nail
Figure 3
Figure 3
Computed tomography angiography demonstrating a pseudoaneurysm of the superficial femoral artery and massive haematoma, not close to the screw tip (arrow head)
Figure 4
Figure 4
Disruption of the adventitia of the superficial femoral artery (arrow head)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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References

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