Coil embolization of an aberrant posterior tibial artery pseudoaneurysm after total knee arthroplasty

Abstract

Arterial injury is a recognized but rare complication of total knee arthroplasty. These injuries, however, can be exceptionally devastating and potentially result in limb loss. Presentation may be delayed with symptoms associated with mass effect rather than with ischemia. We describe treatment of a patient with presentation delayed 2 weeks. In addition, the patient's arterial branch pattern demonstrated aberrant anatomy with high takeoff of the posterior tibial artery. This patient was successfully treated with transcatheter coil embolization. The current treatment options and published literature are reviewed. Keywords: Pseudoaneurysm, Iatrogenic injury, Coil embolization