title: Color Doppler sonography of groin complications following femoral artery catheterization.
abstract: Color Doppler sonography has proved to be an excellent technique for the evaluation of groin complications following femoral artery catheterization [1-4]. With the widespread use of fibrinolytic therapy, anticoagulants, and large-diameter vascular sheaths, a marked increase has been noted in the number of such complications [5, 6]. Accurate diagnosis of groin injuries is critical for establishing whether surgical or nonsurgical treatment is required. In this pictorial essay we review the color Doppler sonography findings of these complications, emphasizing unusual complications such as pseudoaneurysms coincident with arteriovenous fistulas, multilobulated pseudoaneurysms, ruptured pseudoaneurysms, and patent needle tracts. We also discuss the diagnostic pitfalls and mimics of groin injuries, including lymphadenopathy, varicosities, true aneurysms, and atypical but normal branch vessels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
authors.forename: E K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Paulson
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Kliewer
authors.forename: B S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Hertzberg
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: O'Malley
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Washington
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Carroll
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017541:Aneurysm, False / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D001164:Arteriovenous Fistula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000293:injuries; D005268:Femoral Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000293:injuries; D006119:Groin; D006406:Hematoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color