Delayed diagnosis of dorsal scapular artery pseudoaneurysm following blunt chest trauma

Abstract

Pseudoaneurysm is a well-recognised form of vascular injury following blunt trauma. Its diagnosis is often delayed due to late manifestation of signs and symptoms. Nonetheless, complications of pseudoaneurysm can be severe and even fatal. A 60-year-old man presented to our tertiary trauma centre with blunt chest trauma. His treatment was initially focused on the left clavicular fracture. He was eventually diagnosed with a dorsal scapular artery pseudoaneurysm and a large chest wall haematoma on computed tomography on his third hospital admission in two weeks. This pseudoaneurysm was treated with endovascular embolisation. This article highlights the value of meticulous clinical examination as well as judicious use of biochemistry and imaging in trauma management.

Keywords

• Pseudoaneurysm
• False aneurysm
• Dorsal scapular artery
• Blunt chest trauma
• Delayed diagnosis