Pseudoaneurysm and post-traumatic arteriovenous fistula in pulmonary artery branch: Case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Pseudoaneurysms of a pulmonary artery branch are a rare complication in cases of penetrating chest trauma. Other more frequent causes are secondary to infections or iatrogenesis. We present the case of a 16-year-old male patient who returns weeks after having sustained a stab wound to the chest, complaining of hemoptysis and chest pain. Imaging studies help detect and characterize a partially thrombosed pseudoaneurysm arising from the artery that supplies the anterior segment of the right upper lobe, with an associated post-traumatic pulmonary arteriovenous fistula. The patient was successfully treated with endovascular arterial embolization. Identifying this entity opportunely has an impact on the survival of this patient, avoiding risk secondary to massive bleeding by making an adequate treatment.

Keywords

• Pseudoaneurysm
• Pulmonary artery
• Arteriovenous fistula
• Post-traumatic Injury