Acute femoral artery pseudoaneurysm due to lesser trochanter fragment: an unusual complication of an intertrochanteric fracture

Abstract

【Abstract】False aneurysm of the femoral artery is a rare complication of intertrochanteric fracture. Most of these situations are due to iatrogenic trauma or the trauma itself and are rarely caused by dislocated bone fragments. Here we report a case of a 72-year-old man who presented acutely with a pseudoaneurysm of the superficial femoral artery from the spike of a lesser trochanter fragment. Percutaneous endovascular treatment of the pseudoaneurysm with a covered stent was undertaken on an urgent basis. Five days later, the patient was operated upon and the lesser trochanter fragment was excised through an anterior incision and the intertrochanteric fracture was fixed using dynamic hip screws. The fracture was united at 10 weeks. At one-year’s follow-up, there were no graft-related complications. This case illustrates that an intertrochanteric fracture with a displaced lesser trochanter fragment can present acutely with bleeding and a pseudoaneurysm of the femoral artery. Key words: Aneurysm, false; Hip fractures; Endovascular procedures