title: Pseudoaneurysm of the superficial femoral artery after retrograde intramedullary nailing for a supracondylar femoral fracture.
abstract: Vascular complications of distal femoral fractures are rare but can have disastrous consequences if not recognised and treated promptly. We present the case of a 55-year-old woman who developed a pseudoaneurysm of the superficial femoral artery after osteosynthesis to repair a supracondylar femoral fracture. Eight weeks after surgery, swelling of the right thigh persisted and was accompanied by severe pain. Enhanced computed tomography revealed a pseudoaneurysm in the medial aspect of the affected thigh. Open surgical repair was performed by direct arterial suture. Although the true aetiology of the development of the pseudoaneurysm is unknown, a bony fragment from the reduction manoeuvre may have damaged the adventitia of the superficial femoral artery. In cases of continuous thigh swelling after osteosynthesis to repair a supracondylar femoral fracture, a diagnosis of pseudoaneurysm should be considered and treatment should be initiated immediately.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Takikawa Municipal Hospital, Takikawa, Hokkaido, Japan.
authors.forename: Ryosuke
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hirota
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Emori
authors.forename: Toshiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ito
authors.forename: Kota
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: Akira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hirano
authors.forename: Tomoaki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kamiya
authors.forename: Yoshinori
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Terashima
authors.forename: Toshihiko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yamashita
mesh_terms: D017541:Aneurysm, False / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods