title: Compound and acutely ruptured false aneurysm of the brachial artery: a case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A patient with a neglected, compound acutely ruptured false aneurysm of the brachial artery which developed after a periprosthetic fracture of the right humerus, is reported.
  
  
  METHODS
  An 84-year-old Greek woman underwent right shoulder hemiarthroplasty 2 years before a periprosthetic fracture which was treated conservatively in another hospital. After removing the U-slab herself, she noticed the development of an ulcer on the mid-humerus, with continuous oozing but no fever. This led to above-elbow amputation in an attempt to save the patient's life.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is hoped that by awareness of such a possibility coupled with an early diagnosis based on the clinical picture and imaging modalities, such unfortunate results can be avoided in the future. In case of increasing displacement at the fracture site and excessive local swelling, the possibility of the presence of a false brachial aneurysm should be ruled out despite the presence of normal perfusion of the hand and palpable radial and ulnar pulses.
authors.forename: Elias
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Panagiotopoulos
authors.forename: Efstratios
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Athanaselis
authors.forename: Charalampos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Matzaroglou
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kasimatis
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gliatis
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Tsolakis