J Korean Fract Soc.  2016 Apr;29(2):137-142. 10.12671/jkfs.2016.29.2.137.

Huge Pseudoaneurysm of Popliteal Artery Following Conservative Treatment of a Distal Femur Fracture: A Case Report

• Cho WC
• Park CB
• Choi YJ
• Lee HI
• Won HJ
• Hwang JK

• KMID: 2162016
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12671/jkfs.2016.29.2.137

Abstract

A pseudoaneurysm is a contained arterial disruption in the intimal and medial layers of an arterial wall. It may originate from a perforation caused by traumatic or iatrogenic injury or the dehiscence of a surgical anastomosis. Because of its insidious onset and delayed presentation, orthopaedic surgeons should be aware of the possibility of such a lesion after an initial trauma. We report on a case of a delayed huge pseudoaneurysm of the popliteal artery that occurred 11 months after conservative treatment of a supracondylar fracture of the femur in order to keep in mind the possibility of the delayed presentation of vascular injury after a distal femur fracture.

Keyword

Pseudoaneurysm; Femoral fracture; Popliteal artery

MeSH Terms

Anastomosis, Surgical
Aneurysm, False*
Femoral Fractures
Femur*
Popliteal Artery*
Vascular System Injuries

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Lateral radiograph of the left femur in a 60-year-old female showing a distal femur fracture and severe disuse osteoporosis.

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  Fig. 2 Anteroposterior and lateral radiographs at one year follow-up. Non-union is shown along with a large gap and bony resorption at the fracture site and a large soft tissue shadow on the posterior compartment is shown.

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  Fig. 3 A large mass is present on the medial side of the left leg (A) and computed tomographic angiography shows a large vascular pouch with contrast pooling through the popliteal artery (B, C).

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  Fig. 4 Intra-operative photographs. The orifice of the popliteal artery aneurysm was evaluated (A) and resected through angioplasty (B).

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