Common iliac artery dissection after blunt trauma: case report of endovascular repair and literature review

Spontaneous isolated iliac artery dissection in a young male: Case report and review of literature

Spontaneous isolated dissection of the iliac artery (SID-IA) is a rare vascular condition typically associated with trauma or connective tissue disorders. We present a unique case of a 39-year-old male without known risk factors or trauma history who presented with lower abdominal pain. Diagnostic imaging revealed SID-IA involving the right external iliac artery with thrombus formation. Despite negative findings for connective tissue disorders, the patient underwent successful endovascular stenting following initial medical management. Vigilance in diagnosis and prompt intervention are crucial in managing SID-IA to prevent complications such as limb ischemia and aneurysm formation. This case emphasizes the importance of considering SID-IA in young patients presenting with abdominal pain, even in the absence of traditional risk factors, and highlights evolving treatment options for this rare condition.

Abdominal Wall Evisceration Coupled With Iliac Vascular Injury After Blunt Trauma

Abdominal evisceration after blunt trauma is uncommon and rarely survivable when coupled with a concomitant iliac vascular injury. Blunt abdominal injury is rarely a cause of abdominal evisceration but may, on occasion, present in patients affected by a unique or high-energy traumatic injury. In these instances, major vascular injury is exceedingly rare but is associated with a high mortality rate. Damage to important vessels that may present more subtly, such as iliac arterial injury, can still be lethal and are important to evaluate in the trauma workup for blunt evisceration. We report the case of a 20-year-old woman who survived an abdominal wall and vascular injury in a motor vehicle accident. Management of this unusual association is discussed.

Spontaneous Isolated Dissection of Iliac Artery Treated with Endovascular Repair: A Case Report

Spontaneous isolated dissection of the iliac artery (SID-IA) is a rare pathologic condition. The predisposing factors and best treatment strategies are still being debated. We present the case of a 59-year-old male with acute right lower limb ischemia characterized by the sudden occurrence of rest pain, hypoesthesia, and paresis. Angiography showed SID-IA extending down to the femoral bifurcation. The patient had no risk factors for SID-IA; however, he survived an electrocution and had arterial hypertension at admission. Endovascular revascularization was successfully performed, with complete restoration of limb blood flow and remission of symptoms. Follow-up ultrasonography at 1 year confirmed stent patency and absence of clinical symptoms. Endovascular stenting is a good therapeutic option for symptomatic SID-IA without rupture.

Repair of the Iliac Arterial Injury in Trauma: An Endovascular Operation?

BACKGROUND

Endovascular therapy is effective for non-traumatic iliac arterial diseases. The role of endovascular surgery in traumatic iliac lesions is unclear. The aim of this study is to compare outcomes for open versus endovascular management of traumatic iliac injuries.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The National Trauma Data Bank was searched for patients from 2002to 2016 with iliac arterial injury. Patients were sorted by treatment modality (open versus endo) and mechanism (blunt versus penetrating) and matched using mangled extremity score variables. The proportion of patients undergoing amputation were compared using the chi-square test.

RESULTS

In the blunt group, 1550 (82%) had endovascular and 342 (18%) had open repair. Endovascular repair was associated with a significantly lower amputation rate than open repair (0.6% versus 3.6%, P = 0.015) despite higher incidence of concomitant injuries. Venous injury was more frequent in the open group (13.7% versus 1.8%, P < 0.001). Within the penetrating group, 209 (22%) had endovascular and 755 (78%) had open repair. Again endovascular repair was associated with a lower amputation rate (0% versus 5.1%, P = 0.004). Patients undergoing endovascular repair had more severe extremity/orthopedic injury, with venous injury again associated with open repair (48.5% versus 37.4%, P = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

Endovascular repair of iliac injuries was associated with a significantly lower rate of amputation than open surgery. Endovascular repair was associated with a higher incidence of several injuries, although open repair was associated with concomitant venous injury. Further work is required to delineate the benefit of endovascular intervention and role of venous injury in limb salvage.

Common iliac artery occlusion with small intestinal transection caused by blunt abdominal trauma: A case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Most major abdominal vascular injuries are caused by penetrating injuries. A common iliac artery occlusion caused by blunt force trauma is rare, and very few cases have been reported. Because of this low incidence, atypical symptoms, and frequent association with other severe injuries, the proper diagnosis tends to be missed or delayed. The gold standard for diagnosis is angiography, and treatment remains a challenge.

CASE SUMMARY

We report here the unusual case of a common iliac artery occlusion caused by blunt abdominal compressive trauma, with transection of the small intestine. At presentation, the patient (a 56-year-old man) complained of pain and numbness in the left lower extremity and severe pain in the whole abdomen. Physical examination showed total abdominal tenderness with evidence of peritoneal irritation. The left lower limb was pulseless and cold. Abdominal computed tomography examination revealed digestive tract perforation, and abdominal computed tomography angiography showed left common iliac artery occlusion. The patient was treated successfully by anastomosis of the intestine, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, and stenting. The patient was followed for more than 11 mo after the operation and showed a good recovery.

CONCLUSION

Patients with abdominal trauma should be suspected of having major vascular injury. Individualized treatment strategies are needed for this condition.

Endovascular Therapy of Vascular Trauma—Current Options and Review of the Literature

Objective:

To review the current use of endovascular techniques in trauma.

Summary Background Data:

Multiple studies have demonstrated that, despite current guidelines, endovascular therapies are used in instances of arterial trauma.

Methods:

The existing literature concerning arterial trauma was reviewed. Studies reviewed included case reports, single-center case series, large database studies, official industry publications and instructions for use, and society guidelines.

Results:

Endovascular therapies are used in arterial trauma in all systems. The use of thoracic endografts in blunt thoracic aortic trauma is accepted and endorsed by society guidelines. The use of endovascular therapies in other anatomic locations is largely limited to single-center studies. Advantages potentially include less morbidity due to smaller incisions as well as shorter operating room times. Many report using endovascular therapies even with hard signs of injury. Long-term results are limited by a lack of long-term follow-up but, in general, suggest that these techniques produce acceptable outcomes. The adoption of these techniques may be limited by resource and surgeon availability.

Conclusions:

The use of endovascular therapies in trauma has gained acceptance despite not yet having a place in official guidelines.

Spontaneous Isolated Common Iliac Artery Dissection Treated with Self-Expandable Stent in a 38-year-old Patient: A Case Report

INTRODUCTION

Isolated iliac artery dissection (ISIAD) without the involvement of the aorta is a rare medical condition.

REPORT

A case of a 38-year-old man with sudden onset of rest pain and paraesthesia on the right lower limb (RLL) is presented. Upon admission, the RLL was pulseless, with mild paraesthesia in the foot. The patient underwent computed tomography angiography, which revealed isolated common iliac artery (CIA) dissection followed by endovascular treatment (stenting) of the CIA dissection, with an instant therapeutic effect. Hospital stay was uneventful. The patient was discharged on the third post-procedural day.

DISCUSSION

Endovascular treatment of ISIAD is a viable treatment modality, with low periprocedural complications, mortality, and morbidity. Owing to its mini-invasiveness, it is a viable treatment modality.

Symptomatic Type B Intramural Aortic Hematoma as a Complication of Retrograde Right Common Iliac Artery Dissection

PURPOSE

To report the endovascular treatment of a spontaneous iliac artery dissection (IAD) involving iliac bifurcation, complicated by a type B intramural aortic hematoma (IMH).

CASE REPORT

A 38-year-old female patient came to our institution referring an acute ascending back pain. The angio computed tomography scan showed the presence of a retrograde right IAD with entry tear at the iliac bifurcation and a concomitant aortic IMH. After hypogastric embolization with a vascular plug, self-expanding stent graft was placed to cover the iliac entry tear. At 12 months, the patient was asymptomatic and the angio computed tomography scan showed the patency of the iliac graft without IMH.

CONCLUSIONS

Endovascular treatment of spontaneous IAD is a safe and effective option in symptomatic patient complicated with type B IMH.

Contemporary Strategies in the Management of Civilian Abdominal Vascular Trauma

The evaluation and management of patients with abdominal vascular trauma or injury requires immediate and effective decision-making in these unfavorable circumstances. The majority of these patients arrive at trauma centers in profound shock, secondary to massive blood loss, which is often unrelenting. Moreover, ischemia, compartment syndrome, thrombosis, and embolization may also be life threatening and require immediate intervention. To minimize the risk of these potentially lethal complications, early understanding of the disease process and emergent therapeutic intervention are necessary. In the literature, the management of acute traumatic vascular injuries is restricted to traditional open surgical techniques. However, in penetrating injuries surgeons often face a potentially contaminated field, which renders the placement of prosthetic grafts inappropriate. Currently, however, there are sparse data on the management of vascular trauma with endovascular techniques. The role of endovascular technique in penetrating abdominal vascular trauma, which is almost always associated with severe active bleeding, is limited. It is worth mentioning that hybrid operating rooms with angiographic radiology capabilities offer more opportunities for the management of this kind of injuries by either temporary control of the devastating bleeding using endovascular balloon tamponade or with embolization and stenting. On the other hand, blunt abdominal injuries are less dangerous and they could be treated at most times by endovascular means. Since surgeons continue to encounter abdominal vascular trauma, open and endovascular techniques will evolve constantly giving us encouraging messages for the near future.

Spontaneous Dissection of Common Iliac Artery

Spontaneous dissection of the iliac artery is very rare but known as a complication of highenergy traumatic injuries and has been reported in connection with pregnancy, collagen diseases, and alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency. The authors report a 42-year-old man with an acute dissection of the common iliac artery during exercise. Groin pain and claudication were the early symptoms. Computerized angiotomography was diagnostic. Operative iliac artery reconstruction was performed. A prerelease control computed tomography examination showed a dissection of the distal aorta and left iliac artery. To their knowledge, the combination of the 2 dissections has not been previously published.

Abdominal vascular trauma

Abdominal vascular trauma, primarily due to penetrating mechanisms, is uncommon. However, when it does occur, it can be quite lethal, with mortality ranging from 20% to 60%. Increased early mortality has been associated with shock, acidosis, hypothermia, coagulopathy, free intraperitoneal bleeding and advanced American Association for the Surgery of Trauma Organ Injury Scale grade. These patients often arrive at medical centers in extremis and require rapid surgical control of bleeding and aggressive resuscitation including massive transfusion protocols. The most important factor in survival is surgical control of hemorrhage and restoration of appropriate perfusion to the abdominal contents and lower extremities. These surgical approaches and the techniques of definitive vascular repair can be quite challenging, particularly to the inexperienced surgeon. This review hopes to describe the most common abdominal vascular injuries, their presentation, outcomes, and surgical techniques to control and repair such injuries.

Spontaneous iliac artery dissection treated with a combination of covered and self-expandable stents to preserve hypogastric patency

A 56-year-old man presented with abdominal pain in the left lower quadrant. Computed tomography angiography showed the presence of an iliac axis dissection.

Two Viabahn (W. L. Gore & Associates, Flagstaff, Ariz) covered stents were placed, starting from the beginning of the left common iliac artery to the iliac bifurcation, closing the proximal dissection tear in the left common iliac artery. A self-expandable EverFlex stent (EV3-Covidien, Plymouth, Minn) was then placed, bridging the covered stent and the left external iliac artery, covering the re-entry tear.

There were no postoperative complications. During follow-up, we observed a progressive and complete thrombosis of the false lumen in 12 months.

An Endovascular Approach to Spontaneous Isolated Acute Iliac Dissecting Aneurysm with Contained Rupture

Acute spontaneous isolated common and external iliac dissection with aneurysm is a very rare entity involving high morbidity and mortality, with only few reports in literature. If not treated promptly, they have high morbidity or mortality in case they rupture. We report a case of similar dissection with aneurysmal formation managed with percutaneous stent-graft placement. This is a unique case where aorta was not involved and patient presented to us in stable hemodynamic status in spite of a contained rupture at the dissected site.

Spontaneous rupture of an isolated iliac artery dissection in a young man because of cystic medial degeneration Erdheim-Gsell

BACKGROUND

Rupture of isolated iliac artery dissections is a life-threatening event and has not been associated with cystic medial degeneration (CMD) Erdheim-Gsell.

METHODS

A young man presented to our emergency unit in a critical hemodynamic condition. Computed tomography scan feigned the rupture of an internal iliac artery.

RESULTS

Surprisingly, we found a ruptured dissection of the common iliac artery during open surgery. Reconstruction was done by Dacron graft interposition between common and internal iliac artery and external iliac artery implantation into the graft. Histology revealed CMD.

CONCLUSIONS

Spontaneous iliac artery dissection and rupture can be caused by CMD and requires immediate surgical intervention.

Femorofemoral bypass allowed limb preservation after late diagnosis of left common iliac artery thrombosis due to blunt trauma: A case report

Objective:

Acute common iliac artery occlusion which results from blunt abdominal trauma is rare and potentially leads to a late diagnosis.

Methods:

We report a case of a 58-year-old patient who suffered a late diagnosed acute left common iliac artery occlusion secondary to abdominal trauma. An emergency exploratory laparotomy was performed to stop intra-abdominal bleeding, while his left limb ischemia was not noticed until 32 h later and femorofemoral bypass was then successfully performed for revascularization. Compartment syndrome was observed postoperatively, and fasciotomy was performed promptly. The wound was temporarily covered with Vaccum Sealing Drainage due to high skin tension. Patient underwent skin-grafting after leg swelling subsided.

Results:

The follow-up turned out that these managements were valid in the preservation of the limb viability.

Conclusions:

This case highlights the prudent recognition of the acute lower extremity ischemia in the abdominal trauma and immediate remedy for acute iliac artery occlusion after a late diagnosis.

Seat belt injury to the inguinal region presenting with hemorrhagic shock

BACKGROUND

Seat belts uncommonly result in various injuries to the abdominal area, such as mesenteric tears, bowel perforations, and abdominal aortic ruptures. We describe a case of a massive subcutaneous hematoma causing hemorrhagic shock from significant lacerations to the inguinal region, related to the use of a seat belt.

OBJECTIVES

To describe a seat belt injury to the inguinal region that presented with a massive subcutaneous hematoma, and to speculate about the mechanism that caused the injury.

CASE REPORT

A 60-year-old woman, who was wearing a seat belt, was brought to our tertiary hospital Emergency Department after a head-on motor vehicle accident. The patient had vascular injury around the right inguinal region resulting in hemorrhagic shock. Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) was successfully performed to stop the bleeding.

CONCLUSION

Seat belts can cause serious injury to the inguinal region, mainly due to shearing forces. In addition to gauze packing, TAE was used effectively to control the hemorrhage in this patient.

Endovascular repair for left common iliac artery occlusion following blunt trauma without associated bony injury: image in vascular surgery

Common iliac artery injury (CIAI), commonly associated with pelvic fractures may present with a potentially fatal combination of haemorrhage and limb ischaemia. We report a case of isolated CIAI from blunt trauma without bony injury treated successfully using endovascular repair.

The role of interventional radiology in trauma

Since the development of angiography and transcatheter techniques, interventional radiology has played an important role in the management of trauma patients. The ability to treat life-threatening hemorrhage with transcatheter embolization has spared countless patients the morbidity of surgery. Advances in cross-sectional imaging and increases in understanding of which patients will best benefit from embolization promise to further refine the interventional radiologist's role. As the applications of transcatheter therapy broaden to include embolization of unstable patients with solid organ injuries and endovascular repair of major arterial injuries, the interventional radiologist must be increasingly prepared to provide prompt, efficient, and high-quality service.

Endovascular grafts for treatment of traumatic injury to the aortic arch and great vessels

BACKGROUND

Treatment of traumatic vascular injury using endovascular techniques has evolved as endovascular capabilities have advanced over the past several decades. Several endovascular techniques have been employed to address the challenges of traumatic arterial injury, including coil embolization and the use of stents, which may be either bare metal or covered with graft material. Compared with traditional surgical repair, endovascular stent grafting for the repair of traumatic arterial injury offers the advantage of decreased morbidity because a remote access site may be used, avoiding surgical dissection and lengthy operating times.

METHODS

A Medline (1995-2007) search was performed to find all studies discussing the use of endovascular means to treat supradiaphragmatic arterial trauma.

RESULTS

In this review of 195 studies published between January 1995 and December 2007, the overall technical success rate of endovascular treatment of supradiaphragmatic arterial injury was 96.7%, and the complication rate was 6.4%.

CONCLUSION

The results of this review suggest a potential morbidity and mortality benefit over traditional open repair; however, long-term data are lacking. Long-term follow-up for stent durability is of particular concern in the trauma population, which tends to comprise younger patients with minimal atherosclerotic disease. The success of endovascular techniques is also limited by the availability of skilled interventionalists, properly outfitted angiography suites, and suitable stent graft devices. Despite these challenges, the potential advantages of endovascular stenting make it a welcome addition to the armamentarium of the vascular interventionalist who treats arterial traumatic injuries.

Peripheral endografts for the treatment of traumatic arterial injuries

Catheter-based endovascular techniques for vascular trauma management are being increasingly reported. Covered stents may be inserted and deployed through a remote site of percutaneous access under local anesthesia and are ideal for treating arterial ruptures and pseudoaneurysms and to seal off arteriovenous communications. Advantages of endovascular stent-graft repair of peripheral traumatic arterial injuries include less blood loss and tissue damage, reduced operative time and morbidity, shortened hospital stay and recovery periods, and reduced healthcare costs. The present report provides an overview of the role of balloon-expandable and self-expandable covered stents in the minimally invasive treatment of various types of traumatic arterial injuries.

Endovascular repair of an acute blunt popliteal artery injury

Blunt popliteal arterial injury is uncommon and is usually associated with surrounding soft tissue and orthopedic injuries, which may complicate traditional open operative repair. We present the successful management of a blunt popliteal artery injury through an endovascular approach, where we imaged the lesion, extracted the thrombus, protected against distal embolization, and performed a balloon angioplasty to the intimal lesion. Our approach is the first documented in the literature in which endovascular repair of a blunt popliteal artery injury was performed successfully in an acutely ischemic extremity. Using a filter wire is a novel way to prevent distal embolization during manipulation.

Isolated Spontaneous Dissection of the Common Iliac Artery: Percutaneous Stent Placement in Two Patients

Isolated spontaneous dissection of the common iliac artery (CIA) is a rare entity. Two patients with this condition were successfully treated by percutaneous stent placement. We emphasize the feasibility of nonsurgical management by percutaneous stent placement for isolated spontaneous dissection of the CIA.

Feasibility of endovascular repair in penetrating axillosubclavian injuries: A retrospective review

BACKGROUND

Penetrating injuries to the axillary and subclavian vessels are a source of significant morbidity and mortality. Although the endovascular repair of such injuries has been increasingly described, an algorithm for endovascular versus conventional surgical repair has yet to be clearly defined. On the basis of institutional endovascular experience treating vascular injuries in other anatomic locations, we defined an algorithm for the management of axillosubclavian vascular injuries. Subsequently, a near decade long experience with the management of axillosubclavian vascular injuries was retrospectively analyzed, so as to more accurately assess the true feasibility of endovascular treatment in these patients.

METHODS

We defined a management algorithm that included (1) indications, (2) relative contraindications, and (3) strict contraindications for the endovascular repair of axillosubclavian vascular injuries. Anatomic indications for endovascular repair were restricted to relatively limited axillosubclavian injuries (pseudoaneurysms, arteriovenous fistulas, first-order branch vessel injuries, intimal flaps, and focal lacerations). Relative contraindications for endovascular repair included injury to the axillary artery's third portion, substantial venous injury (eg, transection), refractory hypotension, and upper extremity compartment syndrome with neurovascular compression. Strict contraindications to endovascular repair included long segmental injuries, injuries without sufficient proximal or distal vascular fixation points, and subtotal/total arterial transection. Within the context of these definitions, we retrospectively reviewed 46 noniatrogenic subclavian and axillary vascular injuries in 45 patients identified by a prospectively maintained computer registry during a 9-year period. Presentations were reviewed concurrently by two endovascular surgeons, and potential candidates for endovascular management were defined.

RESULTS

Among 46 total case presentations and among the 40 patients who maintained vital signs on presentation, 17 were potentially treatable with endovascular therapy. Among the cohort of 40 presentations, the most common contraindications to endovascular therapy were hemodynamic instability (n = 10), vessel transection (n = 7), and no proximal vascular fixation site (n = 3).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite growing enthusiasm for endovascular repair of injuries to the axillary and subclavian vessels, realistic clinical presentation and anatomic locations restrict the broad application of this technique at present. In our experience, less than but approaching 50% of all injuries encountered could be addressed with an endovascular approach. This percentage will increase during the upcoming decades if the endovascular technologies available in hybrid endovascular operating rooms uniformly improve.

Unsuspected vascular trauma: blunt arterial injuries

Blunt arterial injury provides a tremendous challenge to the emergency physician and traumatologist. The overall incidence of these injuries, even with more modern and aggressive screening, is low. Often, they are clinically occult on initial presentation, and untreated, they frequently result in devastating consequences. Great potential exists, however, for averting these deadly consequences by recognizing patterns of injury, prompting expedient diagnosis by rapidly obtaining the appropriate diagnostic study and providing opportunity for specific therapy under the direction of the trauma surgeon.

Acute bilateral iliac artery occlusion secondary to blunt trauma: successful endovascular treatment

INTRODUCTION

Endovascular treatment of blunt vascular trauma has been infrequently reported.

PRESENTATION

A 27-year-old man was crushed between a fork-lift truck and a concrete platform. The physical examination was remarkable for hemodynamic stability, significant lower abdominal ecchymosis and tenderness, obvious pelvic fracture, and gross hematuria. Vascular examination revealed no femoral pulses, no pedal signals bilaterally, and minimal left leg and no right leg motor function. Arteriograms revealed right common iliac artery and external iliac artery occlusion and a 2-cm near occlusion of the left external iliac artery.

TREATMENT

In the operating room, bilateral common femoral artery access was obtained, and retrograde arteriogram on the right side demonstrated free extravasation of contrast material at the level of the proximal external iliac artery. An angled glide wire was successfully traversed over the vascular injury, and two covered stents (Wallgraft, 10 x 50 mm and 8 x 30 mm) were deployed. The left iliac injury was similarly treated with an 8 x 30-mm covered stent. After calf fasciotomy, exploratory laparotomy revealed a severe sigmoid colon degloving injury, requiring resection and colostomy. A suprapubic catheter was placed because of bladder rupture, and an open-book pelvic fracture was treated with external fixation. Postoperatively the patient regained palpable bilateral pedal pulses and normal left leg function, but right leg paralysis persisted secondary to severe lumbar plexus nerve injury.

CONCLUSION

Endovascular repair of blunt intra-abdominal arterial injuries is possible and should be particularly considered when fecal contamination, pelvic hematoma, or multiple associated injuries make conventional repair problematic.

Operative Management and Outcome of Iliac Vessel Injury: A Ten-Year Experience

The purpose of this study is to review demographics and examine and stratify risk factors related to the outcome of operatively treated iliac vascular injuries. We conducted a retrospective review of 78 cases of iliac vessel injury. Patients with blunt and penetrating injury had statistically similar length of hospital stay and intensive care unit stay, incidence of shock, and mortality. Shock on admission and bleeding hematoma are linked, and shock increased mortality with an odds ratio of 5.2 ( P = 0.002). A review of operative technique and outcome demonstrated a low mortality of 25 per cent in arterial bypass of an isolated arterial injury versus a mortality of 83 per cent in the combined injury group. Patients treated with primary repair of venous injuries had a lower incidence of shock and mortality compared with patients treated with venous ligation. We conclude that, if matched for severity of injury and physiologic instability, the mechanism of injury does not affect mortality. Shock is the most significant prognostic factor for mortality. Operative management must be based on presence of shock.

Spontaneous common iliac artery dissection after exercise

PURPOSE

To review the clinical features and management of spontaneous iliac dissections.

CASE REPORT

A healthy 60-year-old competitive cyclist presented with acute onset of short-distance claudication following vigorous exercise. Angiography showed a dissection flap extending from the right common iliac artery to the external iliac artery. An uncovered stent was placed across the proximal entry site but did not obliterate the false lumen; open surgical intervention was required.

CONCLUSIONS

Spontaneous dissection of the iliac artery is a rare but important condition to suspect in high performance athletes complaining of leg pain following exercise.