Internal Iliac Artery Aneurysm—A Cause of Leg Swelling and Cellulitis

Internal Iliac Artery Aneurysm Detected by Sonography

Internal iliac artery aneurysms are rare and seldom imaged with sonography in an acute situation. This case study illustrates a ruptured internal iliac artery aneurysm and shows the correlation of sonographic images with computed tomographic images in an emergent setting.

Endovascular treatment of isolated internal iliac artery aneurysms

The aim of the paper is to evaluate the outcome of endovascular treatments for isolated internal iliac artery aneurysms. A systematic review of the literature using public domain databases was undertaken. All studies reporting on endovascular treatment of isolated hypogastric artery aneurysms were considered. Experience from our institution was involved in the data analysis. The primary outcome measures were technical success, perioperative, and overall mortality and morbidity. Data were extracted from 30 articles fulfilling the selection criteria, and the study cohort consisted of 55 patients having undergone treatment of 59 internal iliac artery aneurysms. Ten patients (18%) were treated on an urgent or emergency basis for a ruptured aneurysm. Technical success was achieved in 71% of the cases. The most common reason for technical failure was incomplete exclusion of the aneurysm sac. Thirty-day mortality occurred in one patient (2%). The 30-day morbidity rate was 20%, and was mostly associated with insufficiency of the pelvic circulation. One aneurysm-related death occurred during a mean follow-up period of 13 months (range 0.5–56 months). Open surgical intervention for aneurysm-related complications was required in five patients. In conclusion, endovascular treatment of isolated internal iliac artery aneurysms is an effective alternative option, with satisfactory early and mid-term results.