Successful treatment of a brachial artery pseudoaneurysm in a brachiobasilic arteriovenous fistula using ultrasound-guided manual compression.

Abstract

Pseudoaneurysm is a well-recognized complication seen in arteriovenous fistula (AVF) which usually involves the venous segments. Ultrasound-guided manual compression (UGMC) is a non-invasive and effective treatment for the management of pseudoaneurysms involving the venous segment. Pseudoaneurysm of the arterial segment of AVF is rare complication which usually needs surgical intervention. We report the first successful treatment case of a brachial artery pseudoaneurysm in a brachiobasilic arteriovenous fistula using ultrasound-guided manual compression. The patient presented with a 30 × 30mm pulsatile swelling below the cubital fossa after second session of hemodialysis using an AVF created 8weeks earlier. Ultrasound doppler demonstrated a brachial artery pseudoaneurysm in the non-transposed brachiobasilic fistula. Complete occlusion of the cavity with thrombus formation was accomplished after 55min of compression and the psuedoaneurysm did not recur. UGMC can be an alternative treatment option for select cases of arterial segment pseudoaneurysm in AVF.