Traumatic pseudoaneurysm and arteriovenous fistula detected by bedside ultrasound.

BACKGROUND: The case of late presentation of a pseudoaneurysm and an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) of the common femoral artery and vein secondary to penetrating trauma is reported. Traumatic AVF and pseudoaneurysm may be present within a variety of clinical conditions, which sometimes makes it difficult to detect them clinically. Undiagnosed AVF can lead to clinical manifestations mostly secondary to increased output generated by the fistula.

CASE REPORT: A 31-year-old man presented to the Emergency Department (ED) for wound care follow-up. A week before, he had suffered a stab wound to the medial thigh and the primary suture was performed in our ED. During his first visit to our ED, the vascular examination revealed palpable dorsalis pedis and tibialis posterior pulses. The formal Doppler ultrasound was negative. During his second presentation, however, the physical examination was remarkable for a palpable thrill and continuous bruit in the left mid-thigh region. Also, an ultrasound with a 7.5-MHz linear probe demonstrated a pseudoaneurysm and an AVF between the femoral artery and vein.

CONCLUSION: The mechanism of the injury, wound location and tract, and physical findings after a penetrating thigh trauma can help to predict femoral artery injury. Also, occult injuries to the medial thigh after penetrating trauma may be easily overlooked on the physical examination. Furthermore, bedside ultrasound performed by an emergency physician may be helpful in diagnosing occult vascular injuries.