Anterior tibial artery pseudoaneurysm

[Pediatric post-traumatic limb pseudoaneurysm: Case report and literature review]

INTRODUCTION

Pediatric post-traumatic pseudoaneurysms are a rare complication of arterial limb injuries. Management modalities in children are poorly defined. We report on a case of post-traumatic pseudoaneurysm of the right anterior tibial artery after minimal penetrating trauma, treated with surgery.

CASE REPORT

A 14-year-old boy presented in consultation with a limp and right calf pain 3 months after a penetrating trauma. On physical examination, a painful mass in the middle third of the right leg was found, without inflammatory signs, but with a pulsatile character and a palpable thrill. Ultrasonography revealed a hypoechoic cystic structure, adjacent to the anterior tibial artery with a characteristic ying-yang flow on color Doppler, suggesting a post-traumatic pseudoaneurysm. The diagnosis was confirmed by CT angiography. The treatment was surgical, including flattening of the pseudoaneurysm and interposition of an autologous graft.

CONCLUSION

Management of pediatric post-traumatic pseudoaneurysm of the limbs is surgical. Currently however, new alternatives exist: endovascular techniques, ultrasound-guided compression, and embolization by thrombin injection.

Delayed presentation of traumatic infrapopliteal arteriovenous fistula and pseudoaneursym in a 10-year-old boy managed by coil embolization

Blunt traumatic arteriovenous fistulae of the extremities are rare in children. We report the case of a 10-year-old boy with a traumatic infrapopliteal arteriovenous fistula and concomitant pseudoaneurysm diagnosed 2 months after he was struck by a car. It was definitively managed with coil embolization. Postprocedure, the vascular anatomy of the patient's right calf was well preserved. He had complete resolution of his symptoms immediately after the intervention and continues to do well 6 months later.

Pseudo-aneurysm of the anterior tibial artery, a rare cause of ankle swelling following a sports injury

Background

Ankle pain and swelling following sports injuries are common presenting complaints to the accident and emergency department. Frequently these are diagnosed as musculoskeletal injuries, even when no definitive cause is found. Vascular injuries following trauma are uncommon and are an extremely rare cause of ankle swelling and pain. These injuries may however be limb threatening and are important to diagnose early, in order that appropriate treatment can be delivered. We highlight the steps to diagnosis of these injuries, and methods of managing these injuries. It is important for clinicians to be aware of the potential for this injury in patients with seemingly innocuous trauma from sports injuries, who have significant ankle pain and swelling.

Case presentation

A young, professional sportsman presented with a swollen, painful ankle after an innocuous hyper-plantar flexion injury whilst playing football, which was initially diagnosed as a ligamentous injury after no bony injury was revealed on X-Ray. He returned 2 days later with a large ulcer at the lateral malleolus and further investigation by duplex ultrasound and transfemoral arteriogram revealed a Pseudo-Aneurysm of the Anterior Tibial Artery. This was initially managed with percutaneous injection of thrombin, and later open surgery to ligate the feeding vessel. The patient recovered fully and was able to return to recreational sport.

Conclusion

Vascular injuries remain a rare cause of ankle pain and swelling following sports injuries, however it is important to consider these injuries when no definite musculo-skeletal cause is found. Ultrasound duplex and Transfemoral arteriogram are appropriate, sensitive modalities for investigation, and may allow novel treatment to be directed percutaneously. Early diagnosis and intervention are essential for the successful outcome in these patients.