Spontaneous thrombosis of hepatic posttraumatic pseudoaneurysms: sonographic and computed tomographic features

Pseudoaneurysms: Different ultrasound patterns, aetiologies and locations

Pseudoaneurysms are frequent vascular anomalies. This review article aims to describe the unique specific aspect of pseudoaneurysm (PSA) that allows to make the diagnosis using different modalities: colour Doppler ultrasound, computed tomographic angiography, magnetic resonance angiography and conventional angiography. It is essential to know the various aetiologies of PSA: iatrogenic, traumatic, dissecting and anastomotic; different locations and the possible complications, information to help clinicians choose the best treatment. Our review is supported by illustrated series of cases.

Spontaneous Thrombosis of a Hepatic Pseudoaneurysm Following Blunt Liver Injury

Hepatic pseudoaneurysm (HPA) is a rare complication of liver injury in children. Prophylactic embolization is preferable to prevent life-threatening hemorrhage due to pseudoaneurysm rupture. We present the case of a four-year-old boy who sustained a grade III liver injury from blunt abdominal trauma. He was conservatively managed since he was hemodynamically stable. Follow-up contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) performed 10 days following the injury revealed an HPA measuring 4 mm × 4 mm × 3 mm. Herein, we chose conservative treatment for HPA as the patient was asymptomatic and hemodynamically stable. Conservative treatment was successful, and HPA spontaneously resolved 23 days following the injury without radiologic or surgical intervention. Although there are studies reporting asymptomatic HPAs that have spontaneously resolved, the natural history of HPAs remains unknown. Conservative treatment may be an option for asymptomatic HPA; however, to identify factors contributing to spontaneous thrombosis, further evaluation is needed.

Therapeutic strategies for pseudoaneurysm following blunt liver and spleen injuries: A multicenter cohort study in the pediatric population

BACKGROUND

Little guidance exists for the treatment of pseudoaneurysm (PA) following pediatric blunt liver and/or spleen injuries (BLSIs). We aimed to describe the incidence of delayed PA development and the subsequent clinical course of PA in pediatric BLSIs.

METHODS

This multicenter retrospective cohort study from Japan included pediatric patients (16 years and younger) who sustained BLSIs from 2008 to 2019. The cohort was divided into four groups based on hemostatic intervention within 48 hours of admission, namely, nonoperative management (NOM), NOM with interventional radiology (IR), operative management (OM), and combined IR/OM. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the incidence of delayed PA among the groups and to characterize the clinical course of any PAs.

RESULTS

A total of 1,407 children (median age, 9 years) from 83 institutions were included. The overall number (incidence) of cases of delayed PA formation was 80 (5.7%), and the number with delayed PA rupture was 16 cases (1.1%) in the entire cohort. Patients treated with NOM (1,056), NOM with IR (276), OM (53), and combined IR/OM (22) developed 43 (4.1%), 32 (12%), 2 (3.8%), and 3 (14%) delayed PAs, respectively. Among patients who developed any PAs, 39% of patients underwent prophylactic IR for unruptured PA, while 13% required emergency angioembolization for delayed PA rupture, with one ruptured case requiring total splenectomy. At least 45% of patients experienced spontaneous resolution of PA without any interventions.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that the risk of delayed PA still exists even after acute phase IR as an adjunct to NOM for BLSIs in children, indicating the necessity of a period of further observation. While endovascular interventions are usually successful for PA management, including rupture cases, given the high incidence of spontaneous resolution, the ideal management of PA remains to be investigated in future studies.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic/Care Management; Level IV.

Post-traumatic intrahepatic pseudoaneurysm: A case of successful conservative treatment

Although post-traumatic intrahepatic pseudoaneurysms are rare in adults and even more uncommon in children, this serious complication can result in life-threatening bleeding. Most case studies have recommended surgical or endovascular interventions for preventing rupture or managing the bleeding from a ruptured intrahepatic pseudoaneurysm. Some studies also reported pseudoaneurysms could resolve without intervention and advised conservative therapy. In this case study, we describe a 19-month-old boy diagnosed with an intrahepatic pseudoaneurysm, upper gastrointestinal bleeding from the biliary tract, and hematoma infection. The patient received successful conservative treatment. After 36 days, the patient was discharged without signs of gastrointestinal bleeding and the steady shrinkage of the hematoma surrounding the pseudoaneurysm. The pseudoaneurysm and hematoma vanished at follow-up 18 months after the trauma. Conservative treatment may be considered a viable option, particularly for cases of post-traumatic intrahepatic pseudoaneurysms in children.

Multidetector Computed Tomography (MDCT) Findings of Complications of Acute Cholecystitis. A Pictorial Essay

Acute cholecystitis stands out as one of the most common surgical pathologies that should always be considered in a right-upper abdominal pain emergency. For this, the importance of a correct diagnosis is well described. However, it has been demonstrated that the simple combination of clinical (pain, Murphy’s sign) and laboratory (leukocytosis) parameters alone does not provide for ruling in or ruling out the diagnosis of this condition, unless accompanied by a radiological exam. For a long time, and still today, ultrasonography (US) is by far the first-to-proceed radiologic exam to perform, thanks to its rapidity and very high sensibility and specificity for the diagnosis of simple acute cholecystitis. However, acute cholecystitis can undergo some complications that US struggles to find. In addition to that, studies suggest that multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) is superior in showing complicated forms of cholecystitis in relation to sensibility and specificity and for its capability of reformatting multiplanar (MPR) reconstructions that give a more detailed view of complications. They have shown to be useful for a precise evaluation of vascular complications, the anatomy of the biliary tree, and the extension of inflammation to surrounding structures (i.e., colitis). Therefore, based also on our experience, in patients with atypical presentation, or in cases with high suspicion for a complicated form, a MDCT abdomen scan is performed. In this review, the principal findings are listed and described to create a CT classification of acute complications based on anatomical and topographic criteria.

Delayed haemorrhage and pseudoaneurysms following liver trauma

BACKGROUND

Delayed Haemorrhage (DH) is a potential complication following liver trauma. Hepatic artery pseudoaneurysms (HAPAs) are also a frequently considered delayed complication of liver trauma, yet their incidence is rare. Furthermore, little is known about their natural history, with some observed to resolve spontaneously. Some authors postulate that DH following liver trauma may in fact originate from HAPAs.

AIM

To investigate the incidence of DH and HAPA following liver trauma, review subsequent management and explore a possible association between the two.

METHODS

A retrospective study of liver trauma over a 14 year period at a trauma centre, including a case-control analysis comparing patients with DH and HAPA to liver injury grade matched controls.

RESULTS

450 patients were admitted with liver trauma of which 10 patients had DH (2.2%) and 7 HAPA (1.6%). Both DH and HAPA patients had significantly greater blood transfusion requirements, lower haemoglobin (Hb) levels and a greater Hb decrease compared to controls. No patient with an HAPA had a large volume of haemoperitoneum on imaging, and there were no patients in the clinical DH group with previous or concurrent HAPA identified, and no deaths in either group.

CONCLUSION

DH and HAPA following liver trauma are rare. DH following liver trauma was not associated with HAPA on imaging. This study shows that HAPAs cause ongoing insidious bleeding and Hb decline, but we did not find evidence to support the commonly held perception of a risk of 'rupture' and catastrophic haemorrhage.

Ultrasound Imaging of Acquired Myometrial Pseudoaneurysm: The Role of Manipulators as an Unusual Cause during Laparoscopic Surgery

An acquired uterine artery myometrial pseudoaneurysm can occur due to inflammation, trauma, or iatrogenic causes, such as surgical procedures, and can lead to profuse bleeding. The efficacy of uterine manipulators in gynecological surgery, particularly as a cause of a pseudoaneurysm, has been poorly discussed in the literature. In this paper, we discuss a case of a 39-year-old woman with profuse uterine bleeding that occurred seven days after operative laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis. The color Doppler ultrasound better evoked the arterial-like turbulent blood flow inside this cavity. These sonographic features were highly suggestive of uterine artery pseudoaneurysm, presumably related to a secondary trauma caused by the manipulator. The diagnosis was subsequently re-confirmed by angiography, and the patient was treated conservatively with uterine artery embolization. Ultrasound has been shown to be a valuable and safe tool for imaging pseudoaneurysm and guiding subsequent interventional procedures. Accordingly, we briefly review the most suitable manipulators used in benign gynecological surgeries to verify if the different types in use can guide the surgeon towards the correct choice according to surgical needs and thus prevent potentially dangerous trauma.

The Role of Sonography in a Rare Case of Hepatic Artery Pseudoaneurysm: A Case Study Report

Hepatic artery pseudoaneurysms (HAPs) are rare, life-threatening complications that arise in response to liver trauma or underlying inflammatory processes. The risk of rupture necessitates prompt diagnosis and treatment. Sonography is an important imaging modality used to evaluate and characterize suspected HAPs. In the case described below, sonography played an important role in the diagnosis and successful treatment of a patient with a large, high-risk HAP.

Traumatic Intraparenchymal Pseudoaneurysm on Initial Imaging Predicts Injury Progression in Patients with Nonoperative Major Blunt Liver Injury

Most patients who present with hemodynamic stability and no evidence of peritonitis after blunt liver injury are successfully managed nonoperatively. Little information is available regarding the utility of reimaging major blunt liver injuries for patients who are managed nonoperatively. A retrospective review of patients admitted to a level I trauma center with major blunt liver injuries (AAST grades 3–5) was conducted. Inclusion criteria were those admitted from July 2012 to June 2014 with blunt liver trauma who survived the first 24 hours and underwent repeat imaging. Data included demographics, procedures performed, and computerized tomography (CT) scan findings. Findings on the second CT scan were categorized as Unchanged, Worse, Improved, or Negative. A total of 128 patients had blunt major liver injuries; 66 patients underwent repeat imaging. The mean time to repeat CT was 1.95 days. On repeat CT, 47 were Unchanged, 3 Worse, 14 Improved, and 2 Negative. Three patients underwent angiography. One required embolization of a pseudoaneurysm. In 63 patients (95%), the second CT did not change the management plan. The presence of a pseudoaneurysm was significantly related to a worsening of the second CT (P = 0.0475). Patients with admission hematocrit (Hct) below 32% were more likely to have a worsened second CT (P = 0.0370). A pseudoaneurysm on admission CT and Hct <32% predict major liver injury progression suggesting that routine reimaging is warranted in this group.

Hepatic Pseudoaneurysm Incidence After Liver Trauma

BACKGROUND

Posttraumatic hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm is a potentially devastating complication after complex liver injury. Increasing computed tomography (CT) use may lead to more frequent identification of posttraumatic hepatic complications. This study was designed to determine the rate of hepatic pseudoaneurysm after traumatic liver injury.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review of patients at an urban level 1 trauma center over 5 y (2012-2016). Injury characteristics, patient management, and complications were extracted from trauma registry data and chart review.

RESULTS

Six hundred thirty-four hepatic injuries (11 no grade/no CT, 159 grade I, 154 grade II, 165 grade III, 93 grade IV, and 52 grade V) were identified from our trauma registry. No patient with a grade I or II injury had a subsequent bleeding complication. Eighteen patients had a documented hepatic pseudoaneurysm: grade III n = 3 (1.8%), grade IV n = 6 (6.5%), grade V n = 9 (17.3%). The median time to pseudoaneurysm identification was 6.5 d. Seven pseudoaneurysms were found on asymptomatic surveillance CT-angiography on average 5 d after injury. Eleven patients were symptomatic at the time of CT-angiography performed at a median of 9 d after admission. Of the 11 symptomatic patients, four were in hemorrhagic shock, and two died from hepatic-related complications.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm increases with higher grade liver injury. Aggressive surveillance for hepatic pseudoaneurysm with interval CT-angiography 5-7 d postinjury may be warranted, especially for grade IV and V injuries.

Pseudoaneurysm of the Second Dorsal Metatarsal Artery: Case Report and Literature Review

Pseudoaneurysms are a rare complication of foot and ankle surgeries that can potentially lead to serious sequelae, especially when there is delay in the diagnosis. Due to the rarity of this occurrence, guidelines for management are limited for orthopedic surgeons. Once diagnosed, the surgeon has to decide quickly on many options for how to best manage the patient. In this case report, we present the occurrence of a dorsal second metatarsal artery pseudoaneurysm that occurred after removal of hardware. We also discuss the most current literature on the subject to help guide other surgeons in the diagnosis and management of this condition.

Endovascular intervention for management of pancreatitis-related bleeding: a retrospective analysis of thirty-seven patients at a single institution

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to assess the outcome of endovascular intervention for pancreatitis-related hemorrhage at a single institution.

METHODS

From January 2000 to October 2012, thirty-seven patients underwent endovascular intervention for the management of pancreatitis-related hemorrhage. The underlying etiology of the disease, clinical symptoms and laboratory findings, abnormalities seen on computed tomography, and details regarding the endovascular procedures were assessed, as were the outcome of each procedure and procedure-related complications.

RESULTS

A total of 41 endovascular procedures were performed in 37 patients. The splenic artery (34.8%) was the most commonly treated artery, and pseudoaneurysm was the most commonly detected abnormality on digital subtraction angiography (78.3%). Transcatheter embolization was performed in the majority of patients (95.1%), while two patients were treated with stent-grafts. Successful hemostasis without rebleeding was achieved in 34 patients (91.9%). Two cases of rebleeding were successfully treated by reintervention. Focal splenic infarction, which developed in eight patients, was either asymptomatic or accompanied by mild, transient fever. Splenic abscess was the only major complication occurring in three patients. Two of these patients died from resulting sepsis, while the third recovered after antibiotic treatment.

CONCLUSION

Endovascular management is effective for achieving hemostasis in patients with pancreatitis-related bleeding and demonstrates low recurrence and mortality rates.

Multifocal Intrahepatic Artery Aneurysm with FDG-avid Thrombosis Simulating Metastasis: Report of a Rare Case

Hepatic artery aneurysm (HAA), although rare, represents a serious diagnostic and therapeutic challenge due to high rupture rate and associated mortality. Early detection and accurate diagnosis are essential for successful management. Here, we present an extremely rare case of multi-focal intrahepatic HAA with confined intrahepatic rupture and hypermetabolic activity at PET imaging, simulating metastasis of melanoma. A retrospective review found only two other HAA at our institution between 2000 and 2015, both of which involved the extrahepatic artery. This report highlights the importance of clinical, radiological, and pathological correlation in the management of this rare condition.

Spontaneous resolution of asymptomatic hepatic pseudoaneurysm post radiofrequency ablation

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of a hepatic tumour is an established treatment option with an acceptable complication rate. Formation of a pseudoaneurysm after RFA of liver metastasis is an uncommon complication. We report the case of a 69-year-old female patient developing a hepatic pseudoaneurysm after RFA of liver metastasis. On a follow-up CT scan 6 weeks later, there was spontaneous resolution of the pseudoaneurysm. Hepatic pseudoaneurysms are usually treated owing to the risk of rupture. Invasive procedures or conservative management of an asymptomatic hepatic pseudoaneurysm is still the subject of debate. The spontaneous resolution of a hepatic pseudoaneurysm in our patient suggests that an asymptomatic pseudoaneurysm maybe observed for resolution instead of being treated at presentation.

Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate and Iatrogenic Arteriovenous Fistula Treated by Superselective Arterial Embolization

Iatrogenic pelvic pseudoaneurysm with concomitant arteriovenous fistula has been described as a rare and challenging complication, which may occur during transurethral resection of the prostate. We provide the first report of this complication after holmium laser enucleation of the prostate for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. The attempt to control the bleeding by conversion to open surgery and placement of haemostatic stitches into the prostatic fossa failed. Angiography with superselective arterial embolization proved to be a modern, quick, safe, and efficient treatment of this uncommon complication.

Imaging of vascular pseudoaneurysms in the thorax and abdomen

INTRODUCTION

This review article illustrates a spectrum of arterial pseudoaneurysms that may occur in various locations throughout the thoracoabdominal region. This article discusses the common etiologies and typical clinical presentations of arterial pseudoaneurysms as well as the imaging modalities employed in their diagnosis and potential treatment options.

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this review article is to familiarize radiologists with the diagnosis of thoracoabdominal arterial pseudoaneurysms, the prompt identification and treatment of which are crucial in this patient population.

CONCLUSION

In summary, a thorough understanding of the etiologies, imaging characteristics, and clinical implications of pseudoaneurysms can help optimize identification and management of this spectrum of disease.

Superselective arterial embolization of pseudoaneurysm and arteriovenous fistula caused by transurethral resection of the prostate

Background

Pelvic vascular lesions such as pseudoaneurysms and arteriovenous fistulas associated with the internal pudendal artery are uncommon. The most common cause is traumas including those of iatrogenic origin. Surgical treatment is complicated due to location of the lesions and endovascular approach is usually the first choice among the treatment options.

Case Report

A 79-year-old patient was admitted with massive hematuria following transurethral resection of prostate for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Doppler US and angiography revealed a pseudoaneurysm and arteriovenous fistula originating from the right internal pudendal artery. It was successfully treated with coil embolization.

Conclusions

Arteriovenous fistulas and pseudoaneurysms concerning internal pudendal artery may occur as complications of prostate operations. Minimally invasive endovascular methods provide safe and efficient treatment and today should be considered as the first line of choice.

Spontaneous resolution of an inferior epigastric artery pseudoaneurysm secondary to surgical drain placement

We report the case of a 73-year-old woman who was found to have an inferior epigastric artery pseudoaneurysm caused by surgical drain placement during a laparotomy for an appendix abscess. She presented with pain around the drain site two months following surgery and intravenous contrast computed tomography (CT) revealed a right inferior epigastric artery pseudoaneurysm. A decision was made to manage this expectantly as she remained stable with no other complications. Following a period of nine months of observation, repeat intravenous contrast CT showed evidence of spontaneous regression and thrombosis of the pseudoaneurysm. She remains well and her symptoms have now resolved.

[Hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm following blunt abdominal injury]

Posttraumatic hepatic artery pseudoaneurysms are a rare but life-threatening complication of blunt abdominal trauma with liver damage. We report the case of a child who developed a pseudoaneurysm of the right hepatic artery after a bicycle accident with central liver rupture. After an episode of hemodynamically relevant hemobilia due to delayed bleeding, the asymptomatic pseudoaneurysm was diagnosed coincidentally by ultrasound. Because of the progression in size angiographic coiling was performed and led to thrombotic occlusion of the pseudoaneurysm. After a symptom-free period of 1 month the child required surgery because of acute cholecystitis.

Emergency ultrasound-guided percutaneous embolization of post-traumatic bleeding hepatic artery pseudoaneurysms

Hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm (HAP) is an uncommon but serious complication of blunt trauma abdomen which can be managed by non-surgical interventional methods. We describe the case of a young boy with blunt trauma abdomen having a large hepatic laceration associated with two pseudoaneurysms of the hepatic artery branches. Both these HAPs were successfully managed by percutaneous injection of cyanoacrylate glue under sonographic guidance. A major surgery was thus averted. A brief review of the etiology, diagnosis and management of HAP including the present case is discussed.

Ultrasound-guided thrombin injection for the treatment of an iatrogenic hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm: a case report

INTRODUCTION

Percutaneous transhepatic portal embolization is often performed to expand the indications for hepatic resection. Various etiologies of hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm have been reported, but regardless of the etiology, hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm is usually managed with an endovascular approach or open surgery, depending on the location and clinical symptomatology. However, it is difficult to manage hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm after percutaneous transhepatic portal embolization, since embolization of the hepatic artery may cause hepatic infarction

CASE PRESENTATION

A 58-year-old Japanese man with hilar bile duct cancer underwent percutaneous transhepatic portal embolization to expand the indication for hepatic resection. Two days after percutaneous transhepatic portal embolization, our patient suddenly complained of abdominal pain. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography confirmed a pseudoaneurysm arising from a segmental branch of his right hepatic artery. Since embolization of the hepatic arterial branches may cause hepatic infarction, ultrasound-guided thrombin injection therapy was successfully performed for the pseudoaneurysm.

CONCLUSION

We performed a thrombin injection instead of arterial embolization to avoid hepatic infarction. The rationale of this choice may be insufficient. However, ultrasound-guided percutaneous thrombin injection therapy may be considered as an alternative to percutaneous transarterial embolization or surgical intervention for an iatrogenic hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm.

Prophylactic embolization of hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm after blunt abdominal trauma in a child

We describe a 10-year-old boy who developed a pseudoaneurysm in the territory of the left hepatic artery after blunt trauma to the abdomen, which was prophylactically embolized. He was discharged early and was able to return to activities of daily life. In view of the potentially fatal complication of severe hemorrhage from a missed hepatic pseudoaneurysm rupture, recognition and early embolization of a traumatic pseudoaneurysm of hepatic artery are recommended. This decreases morbidity, mortality, and length of hospital stay and allows for early mobilization especially in children who are difficult to restrain in bed.

Management of a traumatic hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm and arterioportal fistula with a combination of a stent graft and coil embolization using flow control with balloon remodeling

We describe a child who presented with a traumatic hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm and arterioportal fistula, which were subsequently managed with an endovascular stent graft and coil embolization using flow control with balloon remodeling. This case demonstrates a rarely seen condition in the pediatric population and a novel management strategy, which should be considered in the management of this complex injury.

Traumatic false aneurysm of the left gastric artery

We present a patient with a false aneurysm of the left gastric artery, associated with anomalous hepatic artery anatomy, following suspected non-accidental blunt abdominal trauma. We postulate that the anomalous anatomy contributed to the pathogenesis of the lesion by restricting the mobility of the left gastric artery during upward movement of the liver. Trans-catheter embolization of the offending vessel was successful.

Interventional radiology in the diagnosis, management, and follow-up of pseudoaneurysms

Arterial wall disruption, as a consequence of inflammation/infection, trauma (penetrating or blunt), or iatrogenic causes, may result in pseudoaneurysm formation. Currently, iatrogenic causes are increasing as a result of the growth of endovascular intervention. The frequency of other causes also seems to be increasing, but this may simply be the result of increased diagnosis by better imaging techniques, such as multidetector contrast-enhanced computed tomography. Clinically, pseudoaneurysms may be silent, may present with local or systemic signs, or can rupture with catastrophic consequences. Open surgical repair, previously the mainstay of treatment, has largely been replaced by image-guided occlusion methods. On the basis of an experience of over 100 pseudoaneurysms, treatments at various anatomical sites, imaging modalities used for accurate diagnosis, current changing therapeutic options for pseudoaneurysm management, approved embolization agents, and clinical follow-up requirements to ensure adequate treatment will be discussed. Image-guided direct percutaneous and endovascular embolization of pseudoaneurysms are established treatment options with favorable success rates and minimal morbidity. The pendulum has now swung from invasive surgical repair of pseudoaneurysms to that of image-guided interventional radiology.

Spontaneous occlusion of splenic and renal pseudoaneurysm after blunt abdominal trauma: a case report and literature review

Pseudoaneurysms caused by blunt abdominal trauma are rarely observed in solid organs. The preferred therapy for pseudoaneurysm after blunt abdominal trauma is often angiography and embolization. Here, we report a case of a spontaneous occlusion of splenic pseudoaneurysm and renal pseudoaneurysm after blunt abdominal trauma. Angiography and embolization were not required, and contrast-enhanced multi-detector computed tomography was used to monitor the patient. This case shows that spontaneous occlusion can be one of the possible outcomes of intraparenchymal splenic pseudoaneurysm and renal pseudoaneurysm after blunt abdominal trauma.

Sonographic evaluation of vascular injuries

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this presentation is to highlight the color Doppler duplex sonographic features of procedure-related and blunt or penetrating trauma-related vascular injuries.

METHODS

Different kinds of vascular complications such as pseudoaneurysms, arteriovenous fistulas, dissection, and thrombosis are discussed. Cases of vascular injuries in the extremities, neck, and abdomen are presented to illustrate the spectrum of sonographic appearances.

RESULTS

Color Doppler duplex sonography is valuable in the diagnosis and monitoring of most vessel injuries and in the treatment of pseudoaneurysms. It is useful for flow analysis and for follow-up after treatment. However, because of limitations inherent to sonography, such as bones, air, casts, skin burns, and relatively slow performance of the test, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, and angiography are necessary for further evaluation in selected cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Color Doppler duplex sonography is a widely available, noninvasive, and accurate technique for evaluating vascular injuries and should be the first-line imaging modality in most patients.

Pseudoaneurysms and the role of minimally invasive techniques in their management

Pseudoaneurysms are common vascular abnormalities that represent a disruption in arterial wall continuity. Some complications associated with pseudoaneurysms develop unpredictably and carry high morbidity and mortality rates. The advent of new radiologic techniques with a greater sensitivity for asymptomatic disease has allowed more frequent diagnosis of pseudoaneurysms. Conventional angiography remains the standard of reference for diagnosis but is an invasive procedure, and noninvasive diagnostic modalities (eg, ultrasonography [US], computed tomographic angiography, magnetic resonance angiography) should be included in the initial work-up if possible. A complete work-up will help in determining the cause, location, morphologic features, rupture risk, and clinical setting of the pseudoaneurysm; identifying any patient comorbidities; and evaluating surrounding structures and relevant vascular anatomy, information that is essential for treatment planning. Therapeutic options have evolved in recent years from the traditional surgical option toward a less invasive approach and include radiologic procedures such as US-guided compression, US-guided percutaneous thrombin injection, and endovascular management (embolization, stent-graft placement). The use of noninvasive treatment has led to a marked decrease in the morbidity and mortality rates for pseudoaneurysms.

Hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm: a report of seven cases and a review of the literature

PURPOSE

To analyze seven cases of hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm (HAP) encountered at our hospital and review the relevant literature.

METHODS

We searched the computerized medical record database from January 1, 1996, to September 1, 2003, to identify all cases of HAP, which we then reviewed in detail, examining etiology, findings, laboratory data, therapeutic intervention, complications, and outcome. We then compared these findings with those reported in the literature.

RESULTS

There were five cases of HAP among 18,015 trauma and surgical admissions to the University of California Irvine Medical Center, representing an incidence of 0.03%. There were an additional two cases of HAP among 200 orthotopic liver transplants (OLT). The five HAPs not associated with OLT were preceded by blunt abdominal trauma, liver biopsy, pancreatic pseudocyst, and polyarteritis nodosa, in one patient each, and there was no apparent cause in one patient. Two patients were treated by ligation, and the patients with post-OLT HAP underwent resection and replacement with saphenous bypass grafts. Successful embolization was performed in the other three patients.

CONCLUSION

Hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm is a rare but dangerous complication of both acute surgical and chronic injury to the hepatic artery. However, early diagnosis and intervention can result in an excellent long-term outcome.

Ultrasound evaluation of abdominal aortic and iliac aneurysms and mesenteric ischemia

The role of US in imaging of the abdominal vasculature has broadened over recent years. Long considered the modality of choice in the detection of AAA, its use has expanded to diagnosing and monitoring IAAs and PAAs, screening for mesenteric ischemia, and posttreatment monitoring of endovascular stents.