A Pseudoaneurysm of the Inferior Lateral Geniculate Artery Following Total Knee Arthroplasty

Geniculate Artery Endovascular Embolization Post-Total Knee Arthroplasty for Hemarthrosis Treatment: A Systematic Review of the Literature

PURPOSE

To provide an updated systematic review on the use of geniculate artery embolization (GAE) in the management of recurrent hemarthrosis post-total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic literature review was conducted, and all clinical reports in the English language from inception to July 2022 were identified. References were manually reviewed to identify additional studies. Demographics, procedural techniques, post-procedural complications, and follow-up data were extracted and analyzed using STATA 14.1.

RESULTS

A total of 20 studies (9 case reports, 11 case series; n= 214) were included for review. In all cases, patients underwent coil embolization of one or more geniculate arteries. Procedure success was reported in 94.8% (n=203/214) of cases without perioperative adverse events. Improvement of symptoms was seen in 72.6% (n=119/164) of cases, with 30.7% (n=58/189) of cases requiring repeat embolization. Recurrent hemarthrosis occurred in 22.2% (n=22/99) of cases over a mean follow-up of 48 months.

CONCLUSION

GAE appears to be a safe and effective treatment for recurrent hemarthrosis following TKA. Future studies in the form of randomized controlled trials should be conducted to further evaluate such embolization techniques and compare outcomes between GAE and standard techniques.

CLINICAL IMPACT

Conservative management of post total knee arthroplasty (TKA) hemarthrosis is successful in only one third of cases. Geniculate artery embolization (GAE) has recently gained attention due to its minimally invasive nature compared to open or arthroscopic synovectomy promising faster rehabilitation, decreased infection rates and less additional surgeries. The purpose of this article was to summarize current literature, provide an updated review on the use of GAE in the management of recurrent hemarthrosis post-TKA and describe immediate and long-term outcomes in an effort to help optimize current treatment algorithms.

Lateral geniculate artery pseudoaneurysm after arthroscopic medial meniscectomy

Vascular complications after arthroscopy are rare and generally present as transient paresthesia most likely due to nervous injury or vasospasm. Rare cases of genicular artery injuries can occur and generally involve the medial genicular artery due to proximity to the right arthroscopic knee hook. This case, however, represents a rare lateral inferior genicular artery injury resulting in a symptomatic pseudoaneurysm. In addition, during the workup, the best visualization of the pseudoaneurysm was possible using duplex ultrasound. The diagnostic information seen on ultrasound was paramount and superseded the findings from conventional angiography and computed tomography angiography, both of which were nonspecific. In brief, this case not only highlights a rare surgical complication but also emphasizes the importance of duplex ultrasound compared with angiography and computed tomography in the workup of pseudoaneurysms.