J Korean Orthop Assoc.  2021 Dec;56(6):535-539. 10.4055/jkoa.2021.56.6.535.

Pseudoaneurysm Originating from the Lateral Femoral Circumflex Artery after Retrograde Intramedullary Nailing of a Distal Femur Shaft Fracture

• Yu J
• Lee BS
• Kim HB

• KMID: 2523285
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4055/jkoa.2021.56.6.535

Abstract

Vascular complications following a femoral fracture are rare but can result in serious issues. Several case studies have reported pseudoaneurysms occurring after direct trauma or the insertion of a proximal femoral nail in the case of a proximal femoral fracture. The authors encountered an 85-year-old patient treated with retrograde intramedullary nail fixation for a distal femur fracture and suffered a decrease in the hemoglobin level, swelling, and pain on the 9^th day after surgery. The authors initially attributed the temporary hematoma and pain to ordinary postoperative processes. On the 16^th day after surgery, a pseudoaneurysm originating from the descending branch of the lateral femoral convolutional artery was diagnosed and treated by percutaneous vascular embolization. After the procedure, the hemoglobin level increased, and the swelling and pain decreased.

Keyword

femoral fracture; retrograde intramedullary nailing; pseudoaneurysm; lateral femoral circumflex artery