Endovascular management of traumatic axillary artery dissection--a case report and review of the literature

A 43-year-old man was admitted to this hospital with a cool, slightly numb, left upper extremity after trauma. Physical examination revealed a cool left forearm and hand, with no distal pulses. An intraoperative angiogram demonstrated short-segment dissection and occlusion of the left axillary artery. A 10 mm x 40 mm self-expanding stent was placed across the intimal flap to reinstitute peripheral flow. Early postoperative duplex scanning showed normal flow through the axillary artery.     

Endovascular stent-graft placement for the management of a traumatic axillary artery pseudoaneurysm-a case report

A 24-year-old woman with a right infraclavicular gunshot wound developed an axillary artery pseudoaneurysm. She was successfully treated by using a 5 cm Hemobahn stent-graft with a diameter of 6 mm. Postimplantation arteriography revealed normal flow through the axillary artery without evidence of leakage of contrast medium. Five months after the procedure, stenoses developed within the stent-graft owing to intimal hyperplasia and were treated by balloon angioplasty. The patient has been followed up symptom-free for 6 months after the second procedure.     

Endovascular repair of an arteriovenous fistula from a ruptured hypogastric artery aneurysm--a case report

A spontaneous ilioiliac arteriovenous fistula secondary to rupture of a hypogastric artery aneurysm is an unusual occurrence. A case of an endovascular repair of this challenging problem is reported.     

Endovascular management of axillary artery trauma.

A 17-year-old man was seen with an expanding false aneurysm of the right axillary artery. This was treated by an intraluminal covered-stent introduced through the brachial artery via an 11F sheath. The covered-stent was constructed from a segment of great saphenous vein anchored in the axillary artery by a 29 mm Palmaz stent. Postoperative arteriography and duplex scanning confirmed normal flow through the axillary artery with complete exclusion of the aneurysm. Postoperative recovery was uneventful.     

A true posterior tibial artery aneurysm--a case report

Aneurysms of infrapopliteal arteries are rare. The etiology is usually traumatic, and most aneurysms are false. The English-language literature reports only 33 cases of infrapopliteal arterial true aneurysms, of which 8 involve the posterior tibial artery. The etiology of these lesions is unclear; a fibromuscular fibrodysplasia similar to ulnar aneurysm may be hypothesized, but traumatic, atherosclerotic, inflammatory, and other pathological processes are also probably involved. The natural history seems to be related to thrombosis and distal embolism more than to rupture. Surgical indications are debated. Aneurysm repair with a complete restoration of the blood flow through the affected artery is particularly challenging owing to the small size of the vessels, and ligation may be required. We report, to the best of our knowledge, the first case of an atherosclerotic posterior tibial artery true aneurysm successfully treated with aneurysmectomy and end-to-end direct reconstruction with a documented good long-term patency. Clinical features, imaging findings, and surgical management are described; indications and treatments (open or endovascular) are discussed.     

Laparoscopic exclusion of a splenic artery aneurysm--a case report

Splenic artery aneurysm is a rare but serious vascular disease. The mortality risk is 36% when one is ruptured. Surgical therapy has traditionally consisted in resection through a laparotomy. The authors' experience of a case of laparoscopic exclusion of a splenic artery aneurysm is reported. This surgical approach is simple, safe, and minimally invasive. This procedure should increase the indication for surgical treatment of a splenic artery aneurysm.     

Endovascular management of isolated iliac artery aneurysms

OBJECTIVE: We reviewed our experience with endovascular treatment of isolated iliac artery aneurysms (IAAs). METHODS: Medical records for consecutive patients undergoing endovascular IAA repair from 1995 to 2004 were reviewed. Computed tomography (CT) angiograms were used to assess IAA location, size, and presence of endoleaks after endovascular repair. Rates of primary patency and freedom from secondary interventions were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier life-table method. RESULTS: From July 1995 to November 2004, 45 patients (42 men), with a mean age of 75 years, underwent endovascular repair of 61 isolated IAAs: 41 common iliac, 19 internal iliac, and one external iliac. Five patients (11%) were symptomatic, although none presented with acute rupture. The mean preoperative IAA diameter was 4.2 +/- 1.7 cm. Fifteen patients (33%) had prior open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. Local or regional anesthesia was used in 28 cases (62%). Thirty-four patients (75%) were treated with unilateral iliac stent-grafts, eight (18%) with bifurcated aortic stent-grafts, and three (7%) with coil embolization alone. Perioperative major complications included one early graft thrombosis that eventually required conversion to open repair and one groin hematoma that required operative evacuation. On follow-up, late complications included one additional graft thrombosis and one late death after amputation. No late ruptures occurred after endovascular repair, with a mean follow-up of 22 months (range, 0 to 60 months). The mean postoperative length of stay was 1.3 +/- 1.0 days. On postoperative CT scans obtained at 1, 6, 12, 24, and 36 months, aneurysm shrinkage was noted in 18%, 29%, 57%, 67%, and 83% of IAAs, respectively, compared with the baseline diameter. One hypogastric aneurysm enlarged in the presence of a later identified type II endoleak. Five endoleaks were noted (4 type II, 1 indeterminate) at 1 month, with four other endoleaks (1 type II, 1 type III, 2 indeterminate) identified on later CT scans. At 2 years, primary patency was 95%, and freedom from secondary interventions was 88%. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular repair of isolated IAAs appears safe and effective, with initial results similar to those after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.     

孤立性髂动脉瘤的腔内治疗

目的探讨利用血管腔内技术治疗孤立性髂动脉瘤的安全性、可行性、有效性和存在的问题。方法自1997年5月至2006年1月,对15例孤立性髂动脉瘤患者行血管腔内治疗。真性动脉瘤12例(80％),假性动脉瘤3例(20％);髂总动脉瘤9例(60％),髂内动脉瘤3例(20％),髂外动脉瘤3例(20％)。瘤径3．5-9．0 cm,平均(5．97±1．49)cm。髂内动脉瘤采用直接栓塞技术;髂总以及髂外动脉瘤采用支架型血管腔内修复技术或结合外科手术方法及栓塞技术进行治疗。术后观察瘤腔内血液动力学改变、髂内动脉以及下肢动脉供血的改变。结果术后仅1例保留双侧髂内动脉,其余仅保留单侧。术后2例发生内漏(13％)。无围手术期死亡,无移植物错放、移位、瘤体破裂、中转手术以及由于覆盖单侧髂内动脉而引起的肠道缺血、性功能改变等并发症发生,1例术后出现一侧臀肌酸痛症状。手术时间0．5-4．0 h,平均(1．9±1．1)h;出血量30-300 ml,平均(126．7±70．1) ml;恢复活动时间0．5-4 d,平均(2．1±1．1)d;住院时间3-12 d,平均(5．5±4．7)d。结论腔内技术治疗孤立性髂动脉瘤是一种安全、可行、有效的方法。髂内动脉的处理以及内漏防治仍是困难的问题。     

Surgical treatment of a huge hepatic artery aneurysm--a case report.

A debilitated 68 year old woman with an epigastric mass previously identified as a hepatic artery aneurysm (HAA) by selective angiography, developed acute epigastric pain radiating to her back. Impending rupture was diagnosed, and the patient successfully underwent surgical repair using a prosthetic patch to close the orifice of the aneurysm. HAA is uncommon, but the risk of rupture is great, being 44 per cent and the mortality rate high, being 35 per cent. Abnormal ultrasonography and CT may suggest the diagnosis, but selective arteriography is definitive. Surgical treatment is indicated in most patients, although embolization is appropriate for intrahepatic aneurysm and extremely poor risk patients.     

Multiple giant aneurysm--a case report

We report a case of five aneurysms, including three giant aneurysms, a pair of symmetric aneurysms, and two fusiform aneurysms. The initial clinical symptom was a cerebral ischemic attack. On admission, the patient complained of sudden onset of speech disturbance. Physical examination showed left hemiparesis. Radiological studies, including computed tomography and cerebral arteriography, revealed multiple low density areas bilaterally in the basal ganglia and three fusiform giant aneurysms bilaterally in the middle cerebral arteries and basilar artery. Considering the difficulty of surgical treatment, the patient was discharged. Six months later, complaining of right hemiparesis and total dysphasia, the patient was readmitted to our department. CT scan on admission revealed no changes except for ischemic changes. During the second admission, another attack of subarachnoidal hemorrhage due to rupture of the left middle cerebral artery aneurysm occurred, and the patient died. Autopsy was performed, and two more aneurysms, not visualized in the former studies, were found in the right anterior communicating artery and the cortical branch of the right middle cerebral artery. The occurrence of aneurysms in such a fashion as seen in the present case is to be very rare in the aspect of the size, the multiplicity and the bilaterally development.     

Abdominal pain caused by thrombosis of a gastroepiploic artery aneurysm--a case report

Symptomatic visceral aneurysms usually present with abdominal pain and shock, gastrointestinal bleeding, or hemobilia when the aneurysm ruptures. Less frequently, visceral aneurysms are found incidentally during abdominal computed tomography or angiography. Thrombosis is a frequent complication of popliteal and femoral aneurysms but is rarely seen with a visceral aneurysm. The author believes this is the first report of complete thrombosis of a gastroepiploic artery aneurysm. The patient, who was seen for abdominal pain, had a previously unrecognized aneurysm.     

A case of persistent primitive proatlantal intersegmental artery (proatlantal artery I) with aneurysm--a case report

A 70-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with attack of SAH. On admission, she was semi-comatose with no other neurological deficit. Left carotid angiography revealed an aneurysm of the anterior communicating artery and a large abnormal vessel connecting the left external carotid artery and the left vertebral artery. This large anastomotic vessel was thought to be primitive proatlantal intersegmental artery (proatlantal artery I). Right carotid angiography revealed a coiling of the right internal carotid artery and hypoplasia of the right A1 portion. Left retrograde brachial angiography revealed aplasia of the left vertebral artery. After admission her consciousness gradually improved but 17 days after admission she died of rerupture of the aneurysm. Autopsied brain showed that the left vertebral artery, namely proatlantal artery, was almost as large as the basilar artery and its macroscopical appearance was similar to other arteries. It was also obvious that the right vertebral artery was hypoplastic. As the rate of combination of the persistent artery with the intracranial aneurysm is relatively high, the authors think that some congenital factor may affect the occurrence of intracranial aneurysms.     

The isolated internal iliac artery aneurysm--a review.

BACKGROUND: The isolated internal iliac artery aneurysm (IIIAA) is rare but rupture has a high mortality rate. This paper reviews the available literature regarding the epidemiology, aetiology, natural history, diagnosis and management with a focus on aneurysms of atherosclerotic origin. METHODS: A literature search was performed using internet databases PubMed, Medline and Medscape followed by manual cross referencing of relevant articles. Data were retrieved from the papers, tabulated and analysed to form a review of atherosclerotic IIIAA. RESULTS: Three hundred and seventy-two papers were found relating to internal iliac artery aneurysms in general and 82 were directly relevant to this paper, reporting 94 cases of atherosclerotic IIIAA. For atherosclerotic aneurysms, the median (range) age was 71.9 (47-89) years and 95% were male. The natural history is unclear but is probably one of increasing size, with corresponding increased risk of rupture. Presentation was with rupture in 40%, leading to rapid death if untreated. The death rate in the group as a whole was 31%. The median (range) size of aneurysms at diagnosis was 7.7 (2-13) cm and death was significantly associated with rupture (Spearman correlation coefficient r=0.327, p=0.007). Symptoms included abdominal pain (31.7%), urological symptoms (28.3%), neurological symptoms (18.3%), groin pain (11.7%), hip or buttock pain (8.3%) and gastrointestinal symptoms (8.3%). Diagnosis may also be coincidental as a result of investigation for other conditions. Of particular use in diagnosis and assessment are ultrasound, computerised tomography and magnetic resonance angiography. Surgical treatment is difficult but can be achieved by ligation, excision or endoanneurysmorrhaphy. More recently, radiological treatments include coil embolisation and endoluminal stenting (often in combination) with the established advantages of endovascular repair have yielded promising short term results, although long term follow-up is required to assess complications and the durability of the devices. CONCLUSIONS: Atherosclerotic IIIAA is a rare condition and if undiagnosed is often fatal. Early diagnosis and treatment may reduce morbidity and mortality particularly with the advent of endovascular techniques.     

Transplanting a kidney with a renal artery aneurysm--a case report and literature review

As a rare postoperative complication, renal artery aneurysm has been reported in 0.95% of kidney transplants. A renal artery aneurysm was repaired prior to transplantation of the kidney.     

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection with left ventricular aneurysm--a case report of successful surgical repair

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection is a rare entity. To our knowledge, 86 cases have been reported, and there are 7 operative treatment. The patient was 56 year-old male with a history of the previous myocardial infarction. A selective coronary angiography demonstrated marked dilatation of both coronary arteries. The thin radiolucent lines were shown within the LAD and first diagonal branch as a result of partial separation of the intima. A very large left ventricular myocardial aneurysm was also demonstrated within anteroapical walls, he underwent open heart surgery with left ventricular myocardial aneurysmectomy and aorto-first diagonal branch saphenous vein graft. This present case is the second report which describe a successful surgical treatment for the spontaneous coronary artery dissection with left ventricular aneurysm.     

Splenic artery aneurysm--a rare cause for extrahepatic portal venous obstruction: a case report

Splenic artery aneurysm is a rare yet very important clinical entity because of its potential for rupture with fatal consequences. Most of the splenic artery aneurysms are found in the middle and distal third of the splenic artery and are usually small (< or = 2 cm) at the time of diagnosis. We describe a rare case of large (5x4 cm) juxta-ostial splenic artery aneurysm causing compression of the splenoportal confluence and adjoining proximal portal vein in a 40-year-old woman.     

Surgical treatment of right subclavian aneurysm--a case report

A case of arteriosclerotic aneurysm of right subclavian artery is reported. The patient was 74 years old male. A huge arteriosclerotic aneurysm was found at the origin of right subclavian artery. Calcification of thoracic aorta and arch vessels was prominent. Under the temporary bypass between brachiocephalic artery and right common carotid artery, replacement of the aneurysm with 8 mm Dacron graft was successfully performed. To avoid the systemic embolism, partial clamp was applied to intact arteries. As the perfusion of the brain was maintained through the temporary bypass during the reconstruction of right common carotid and subclavian arteries, intracranial complication was prevented.     

Surgical treatment of multiple coronary artery fistulas with an associated small saccular aneurysm--a case report

Coronary angiography (CAG) of a 57-year-old woman with anterior chest discomfort revealed no stenosis of the coronary arteries but multiple coronary artery fistulas (CAFs). The sites of origin for the CAFs were the right coronary artery, left main coronary artery, left anterior descending coronary artery, and ascending aorta. The only site for drainage was the main pulmonary artery. Furthermore, a small saccular aneurysmal formation was detected. Surgical treatment was considered better than conservative treatment or coil embolization, and ligation and division of the CAFs were performed during cardiopulmonary bypass. Using a Harmonic Scalpel to expose fistulous arteries was very effective. CAG performed immediately after surgery demonstrated that all CAFs were repaired. The postoperative course was uneventful.     

Endovascular treatment of tracheoinnominate artery fistula: a case report

Tracheoinnominate fistula is a rare but lethal condition that requires emergent surgical intervention to prevent ensuing exsanguinating hemorrhage. In clinical situations where the risk of open surgery is prohibitively high, endovascular repair may provide a life-saving alternative to control hemorrhage and serve as a temporizing or definitive solution based on a given clinical scenario. The authors report successful endovascular repair of the bleeding tracheoinnominate fistula with a stent in a liver transplant patient with high comorbidities and review the current literature.