Neglected fracture shaft femur presenting with pseudoaneurysm: a case report

Abstract

A pseudoaneurysm is a collection of blood leaking from a damaged arterial wall. Development of the false aneurysm is due to either initial injury of the vessel or is a complication of internal fixation of the femoral fracture. Femoral artery pseudoaneurysms (FAPs) may close spontaneously if the tear is small enough to allow for clotting and sealing. On the other hand, rupture of the aneurysm can trigger thrombosis, distal embolization and compression of adjacent structures. We present a case of left superficial femoral arterial pseudoaneurysm in a 36-year-old male with fracture of left femoral shaft. A 36-year-old male with history of road traffic accident presented to our institute with pain and swelling in left thigh. Patient was investigated and diagnosed with fracture left femoral shaft with a pseudoaneurysm of the left superficial femoral artery (SFA). Stenting was done for SFA followed by open reduction and internal fixation of the femoral shaft fracture. Such cases require multidisciplinary approach and a proper planning with involvement of different medical specialities to achieve optimal results and to minimise any intraoperative and post operative complications.