Spontaneous Pseudo-Aneurysm of the Deep Femoral Artery Treated by a Covered Stent

Abstract

Purpose: To present the management of a spontaneous pseudo-aneurysm of the deep femoral artery by an endovascular technique.

Case Report: An 82-year-old man presented with a painless pulsating mass at the level of the upper right thigh without any previous history of trauma, surgery or puncture of the femoral artery. The mass proved to be a pseudo-aneurysm of the deep femoral artery. Thrombin injection with simultaneous balloon inflation at the neck of the aneurysm did not result in a long-lasting thrombosis. Since both general and epidural anaesthesia were absolutely contra-indicated, and because of severe stenotic lesions of the femoro-popliteal axis, we chose to exclude this aneurysm under local anaesthesia with a balloon-expandable covered Jo-stent in order to maintain patency of the deep femoral artery. Twenty months postoperatively, the aneurysm is still thrombosed while the patency of both the superficial and deep femoral artery is preserved.

Conclusions: This case demonstrates that an endovascular approach can be an excellent treatment for aneurysms of the deep femoral artery, thereby avoiding an open surgical procedure while preserving the patency of the deep femoral artery.

Key Words:

• Pseudo-aneurysm
• femoral artery aneurysm
• deep femoral artery
• thrombin injection
• stentgraft

Additional information

Notes on contributors

J.M. Hendriks

J. Hendriks, M.D., Ph.D. Department of Thoracic and Vascular Surgery University Hospital Antwerp Wilrijkstraat 10 B-2650 Edegem, Belgium Tel.: ++32-3-821 56 07 Fax: ++32-3-821 43 96 E-mail: [email protected]