Traumatic arterial spasm causing transient limb ischaemia: a genuine clinical entity.
Traumatic arterial spasm is a phenomenon that has long been questioned by clinicians. Indeed, some would argue that surgical exploration is mandatory whenever there are signs of distal ischaemia following limb trauma. We present a case of angiographically demonstrated tibial artery spasm following gunshot injury. Exploration was unnecessary and distal perfusion was reestablished spontaneously. This case demonstrates the existence of traumatic arterial spasm as a genuine clinical entity and suggests that immediate surgical exploration may not be necessary in all cases.
Peach
G
G
Regional Vascular Unit, St Mary's Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare Trust, London, UK. george_peach@hotmail.com
Antoniou
G A
GA
El Sakka
K
K
Hamady
M
M
D000328:Adult; D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D016909:Tibial Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000150:complications*