Pseudoaneurysm after pertrochanteric femur fracture: a case report

Abstract

Vascular injury as a consequence of dislocated bone fragments after hip fractures is a rare complication. We report a case of a 78-year-old male who developed a pseudoaneurysm of the profunda femoris artery during rehabilitation after intramedullary fixation for a pertrochanteric hip fracture. As this procedure was minimally invasive, open reposition and fixation of the dislocated lesser trochanter were not performed. The pseudoaneurysm was diagnosed through duplex ultrasound and CT angiography and treated with thrombin injections and an endovascular Wallgraft covered stent. The imaging features are described in the article. Although a pseudoaneurysm is a rare complication after hip fractures, the development should be considered, in particular when symptoms such as pulsatile swelling or venous engorgement are presented.

Keywords: False aneurysm; Hip fractures; Intramedullary fracture fixation; Pseudoaneurysm; Trochanteric fractures.