Abstract

OTERO REYES, Manuel et al. Post-traumatic humeral pseudoaneurysm. Rev Cubana Angiol Cir Vasc. [online]. 2014, vol.15, n.1, pp. 52-58. ISSN 1682-0037.

Vascular injuries in the extremities remain common and a frequent reason for going to the emergency services. Errors in diagnosis and inadequate management contribute to serious consequences such as loss of life or limb function. Stab injuries are a major cause in the development of complications such as pseudoaneurysms or false aneurysms. The objective of this paper was to show the importance of the early diagnosis of these vascular lesions that are not so frequent and the adequate surgical treatment to avoid further complications. This is a male 44 years-old patient, with a history of stab wound in the lower third of the left arm for one year, who went to the angiology service because of swelling in the inner arm accompanied by pulsations and beats. Physical examination found pulsatile and expandable mass in the trauma-related area and holosystolic murmur was heard. Color Doppler ultrasonography and contrasted tomography showed the presence of a pulsatile hematoma. Surgical exploration was performed through left arm inner part at bicipital sulcus, the hematoma was removed and arterial repair was made by vascular arteriorraphy with non-absorbable vascular suture. The postoperative course was satisfactory with regression of all the clinical signs.

Keywords : pseudo-aneurysms; vascular lesions; pulsatile mass.