Femoral artery pseudoaneurysm: Doppler sonographic features predictive for spontaneous thrombosis.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this prospective study was to evaluate whether Doppler imaging characteristics can be used to predict spontaneous thrombosis of femoral artery pseudoaneurysms (PAs).


METHODS
Eleven post-cardiac catheterization PAs were monitored with color Doppler sonography. Total volume of the lesion, volume filled with free-flowing blood, length and width of the neck of the PA, and its anatomic position were evaluated.


RESULTS
All of the PAs in our series underwent spontaneous thrombosis. PAs with necks 0.9 cm or longer underwent spontaneous thrombosis in 9.8 days on average, while PAs with necks shorter than 0.9 cm required an average of 52 days to thrombose.


CONCLUSIONS
PAs with longer neck lengths are more likely to thrombose in a shorter period than are those with shorter necks. It may thus be worthwhile to await spontaneous resolution when the aneurysmal neck length is 0.9 cm or more.
Samuels
D
D
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Israel.
Orron
D E
DE
Kessler
A
A
Weiss
J
J
Kaufman
B
B
Miller
H
H
Graif
M
M
D017541:Aneurysm, False / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color