Femoral artery puncture site pseudoaneurysm formation following uterine artery embolization for symptomatic fibroids: a case report.
BACKGROUND
Uterine artery embolization (UAE) is a safe and durable alternative to hysterectomy for the treatment of fibroids. Complications arising in the femoral artery puncture site such as infection, bleeding, and hematoma formation have been reported. This is the first report of pseudoaneurysm formation following UAE.


METHODS
A 46-year-old primiparous woman with multiple symptomatic fibroids became hypertensive during transfemoral UAE. The vascular sheath removal was delayed until blood pressure had normalized. Manual compression was required to control bleeding from the right groin puncture site. A subcutaneous hematoma developed, extending down to the patient's knee. Doppler ultrasound and CT arteriogram demonstrated a ruptured pseudoaneurysm. It was repaired by a vascular surgeon but became infected with E coli. The wound was healing well at three months after the procedure.


CONCLUSIONS
Complications after UAE may be minimized by appropriate patient selection, proper surgical technique, and appropriate monitoring and follow-up.
St. Joseph's Health Care Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Western Ontario, London ON.
George A
GA
Vilos
St. Joseph's Health Care Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Western Ontario, London ON.
Ramona
R
Urian
St. Joseph's Health Care Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Western Ontario, London ON.
Paul
P
Chang
St. Joseph's Health Care Department of Radiology, The University of Western Ontario, London ON.
Roman
R
Kozak
D017541:Aneurysm, False / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery; D006406:Hematoma / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D018231:Leiomyomatosis / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012421:Rupture; D055357:Uterine Artery Embolization / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*