Rare Vascular Injuries Research Articles

Pellet Embolus in Ulnar artery - A rare vascular Injury

Intravascular embolization of bullets and other foreign bodies is a rare complication of penetrating trauma. It can represent a diagnostic challenge because it may present in various and unexpected ways. We report the case of a 65-year-old male who sustained shotgun pellet emboli to left ulnar artery following a right and left upper extremity gunshot injury.
 Pulse volumel.11 January-December 2018-2019 p.33-37

Case report: Endovascular embolization of the thoracoacromial branch of axillary artery after gunshot trauma at a regional trauma center

Introduction and importancePenetrating subclavian-axillary artery injury is a rare vascular injury associated with high morbidity and mortality rates traditionally treated with open surgical repair, however endovascular treatments have been utilized in selected cases.Case presentationWe report a case of a 31-year-old male with a traumatic gunshot injury to the thoracoacromial branch of the left axillary artery successfully managed with endovascular embolization at a regional trauma center.Clinical discussionThe availability of a hybrid operating suite in severely injured patients is associated with reduced time to intervention, reduced operative duration and improved clinical outcomes. Our experience demonstrates the utility and benefit of a hybrid operating theatre in a regional trauma center. The availability of a hybrid suite allowed rapid diagnostic and therapeutic angiography with a minimally invasive approach and eliminated the need for urgent open surgical management. However, the high costs associated with a hybrid operating theatre remain the major barrier for most regional centers.ConclusionThe availability of hybrid operating theatre at a regional trauma center allowed early diagnosis and successful management of the injury with a minimally invasive endovascular approach.

Uncommon Complications after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL-R) is a common surgical procedure, with good outcome in 75 to 97% of the cases. However, different complications have been described including infection, hemarthrosis, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and pulmonary embolism (PE) with a rate ranging from 1 to 15%. There are few case reports in the literature describing rare complications after ACL-R and they can be divided into: (1) complications related to the fixation device (rupture, migration); (2) fractures (tibial or femoral side); (3) infections due to uncommon bacteria, mycobacterium, and mycosis; (4) rare vascular injuries; (5) nerve injuries; and (6) other rare complications. In case of fixation device rupture or migration, device removal can be easy but the diagnosis may be challenging. Patellar fracture after ACL-R may be related to harvesting and it is not uncommon. Conversely, femoral or tibial fractures are most frequently due to bone weakness related to bone tunnels. Some rare infections related to uncommon bacteria or mycosis are also described with potentially devastating joint damage. Popliteal artery injuries are uncommon in ACL-R but minor vessels damages are described with possible severe consequences for patients. Injuries to the infrapatellar branch of the saphenous nerve are not uncommon in ACL-R. However, there are few case reports also describing injuries to the saphenous nerve, the common peroneal nerve and the sciatic nerve. The aim of this paper is to review the literature describing uncommon complications after ACL-R, giving some more information about diagnosis and treatment.

Objective Validation of Perfusion-Based Human Cadaveric Simulation Training Model for Management of Internal Carotid Artery Injury in Endoscopic Endonasal Sinus and Skull Base Surgery.

The emergence of minimally invasive endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery has necessitated reproducible and realistic simulators of rare vascular injuries. To assess the face and content validity of an innovative perfusion-based cadaveric model developed to simulate internal carotid artery (ICA) injury during endoscopic surgery. Otolaryngology and neurosurgery trainees attempted 3 consecutive trials of endoscopic control of a parasellar ICA injury, with standardized technical feedback. Time to hemostasis (TTH) and blood loss were trended. All participants completed validated questionnaires using a 5-point Likert scale to assess the domains of confidence gain, face validity, content validity, and curriculum applicability. Among all participants (n=35), TTH and mean blood loss significantly decreased between first vs second attempt (P=.005), and first vs third attempt (P=.03). Following the first attempt, trainees experienced an average 63% reduction in blood loss and 59% reduction in TTH. In the quartile of most improved participants, average blood loss reduction was 1115 mL (84% reduction) and TTH of 259 s (84% reduction). There were no significant differences between trainees of varying postgraduate year or specialty. Average pre and postprocedural confidence scores were 1.38 and 3.16, respectively (P<.0001). All trainees reported model realism, which achieved mean face validity 4.82±0.41 and content validity 4.88±0.33. The perfusion-based human cadaveric ICA injury model achieves high ratings of face and content validity across all levels of surgical trainees, and enables safe, realistic simulation for standardized skull base simulation and future curriculum development. Objective improvements in performance metrics may translate to improved patient outcomes.

Popliteal Artery Injury Associated with Blunt Trauma to the Knee without Fracture or Dislocation

Popliteal artery injuries are frequently seen with fractures, dislocations, or penetrating injuries. Concern about arterial injury and early recognition of the possibility of arterial injury is crucial for the salvage of the extremity. This article provides an outline of the diagnostic challenges related to these rare vascular injuries and emphasizes the necessity for a high level of suspicion, even in the absence of a significant penetrating injury, knee dislocation, fracture, or high-velocity trauma mechanism. The importance of a detailed vascular examination of a blunt trauma patient is emphasized.

Vascular injuries after minor blunt upper extremity trauma: pitfalls in the recognition and diagnosis of potential "near miss" injuries

BackgroundLow energy trauma to the upper extremity is rarely associated with a significant vascular injury. Due to the low incidence, a high level of suspicion combined with appropriate diagnostic algorithms are mandatory for early recognition and timely management of these potentially detrimental injuries.MethodsReview of the pertinent literature, supported by the presentation of two representative "near miss" case examples.ResultsA major diagnostic pitfall is represented by the insidious presentation of significant upper extremity arterial injuries with intact pulses and normal capillary refill distal to the injury site, due to collateral perfusion. Thus, severe vascular injuries may easily be missed or neglected at the upper extremity, leading to a long-term adverse outcome with the potential need for a surgical amputation.ConclusionThe present review article provides an outline of the diagnostic challenges related to these rare vascular injuries and emphasizes the necessity for a high level of suspicion, even in the absence of a significant penetrating or high-velocity trauma mechanism.

The Hypothenar Hammer Syndrome : Update and Literature Review

The hypothenar hammer syndrome is a rather rare vascular injury. It is seen in posstraumatic digital ischaemia caused by irregularity or occlusion of the distal ulnar artery at the level of the hamate bone. It characteristically occurs in the dominant hand of middle-aged men whose occupational or recreational activities require the use of the hand as a hammer. Three typical cases are presented along with literature review. The different aspects of this syndrome are described such as the cause and pathogenesis, the most important clinical characteristics and differential diagnosis, the role of angiograpghy and Doppler mapping in establishing the diagnosis and the various therapeutic options, ranging from conservative treatment to resection of the thrombosed artery segment with vein graft interposition.

Surgical management of subclavian artery injury

During a 10 year period, we have had operative experience with 13 injuries to the subclavian artery. The factors that led to the successful management in 10 consecutive patients were analyzed. Nonspecific signs, such as pain and swelling, were present in all of the patients. Some aspect of vascular injury was present in each patient and included change in the quality of the distal pulse, hematoma, active hemorrhage, and bruit. Roentgenologic signs such as lung opacification, fractured clavicle, fracture of the first or second rib, and pulmonary opacification were present in each patient. Arteriograms were obtained from all stable patients in whom this injury was suspected. There were no false-positive or false-negative findings. The operative approach for the right subclavian vessels was midline sternotomy, whereas for exposure of proximal left subclavian injuries, anterolateral thoracotomy was utilized. Claviculectomy permitted excellent exposure for distal subclavian artery injuries. This exposure was associated with minimal blood loss and permitted direct repair of complex injuries of the arteries and veins. All patients who reached the emergency room with measurable vital signs survived, and all those who underwent subclavian vascular repair had circulation restored. Principal morbidity was due to associated brachial plexus and lung injuries. A high index of suspicion, rapid transportation, aggressive resuscitation, and proper surgical exposure and repair are essential for the successful management of these rare vascular injuries.