Femoral pseudoaneurysm following nonpenetrating trauma in a patient with aortic insufficiency

Curious case of a true aneurysm of the lateral femoral circumflex artery: a rare but important differential in the diagnosis of a painless groin mass

A 60-year-old man, presented with a 3-month history of a painless, non-pulsatile firm mass in the left groin. He was referred to sarcoma clinic for a biopsy following MRI and B mode ultrasound (US). This was abandoned when colour flow US imaging revealed the mass more in keeping with a pseudoaneurysm rather than malignancy. He was then referred to the vascular team for further investigation, where CT angiography revealed a large and thrombosed true aneurysm of his left femoral circumflex artery. This was treated with open surgical repair. Technical challenges included an adherent femoral nerve, which was carefully dissected off the aneurysm before the aneurysm was ligated and resected. An uneventful recovery followed with discharge within 48 hours. Follow-up duplex US scan revealed patent arteries with no further abnormalities.

A pseudoaneurysm of the superficial femoral artery as a late complication of a stab wound

Limited arteriography based on clinical indications has become increasingly popular. We present the case of a patient with pseudoaneurysm formation of the superficial femoral artery as a late consequence of a lateral stab wound to the thigh. This case demonstrates the need for postinjury follow-up to identify missed injuries before they are limb threatening.

Subclavian artery false aneurysm associated with brachial plexus palsy: a complication of parenteral drug addiction

A 35-year-old female drug addict developed a painful left supraclavicular swelling and profound left arm weakness associated with left hand paresthesia and swelling after cocaine injection into the left base of her neck. Arteriogram confirmed a 3.7-cm false aneurysm of the left subclavian artery and a filling defect of the proximal left axillary artery. Emergent intraoperative treatment consisted of false aneurysm resection, embolectomy, and placement of a prosthetic graft. Distal circulation was restored, but the neurological deficit persisted in the left arm and a fever developed in the patient, necessitating rehospitalization 3 weeks after discharge. False aneurysm, a vascular complication of parenteral drug abuse, may lead precipitously to death by exsanguination if not efficiently and effectively diagnosed and treated.