Pseudoaneurysms after Ankle Sprain: Report of Three Cases Successfully Cured by Nonsurgical Treatment

Ann Vasc Surg. 2017 Apr:40:296.e5-296.e13. doi: 10.1016/j.avsg.2016.07.103. Epub 2016 Nov 27.

Abstract

Pseudoaneurysm is a rare complication of ankle sprain, with 18 case reports published in the current literature. In the vast majority of the cases, they were treated surgically. We present 3 cases of pseudoaneurysm following ankle sprain, treated by nonsurgical methods in 2 cases, and spontaneously healed in another. The diagnosis was made between 2 and 4 weeks after traumatism, by ultrasonography and arteriography in 2 cases, and only by ultrasonography in a third case. The pseudoaneurysms originated respectively from the perforating fibular artery, the dorsal pedis artery, and a lateral malleolar artery. Largest diameters of the pseudoaneurysms ranged from 2.4 to 6 cm. Patients were successfully treated by thrombin injection in a case and by coil embolization in another. Spontaneous thrombosis was demonstrated at follow-up in the third case. These cases suggest that a nonsurgical treatment can be considered for pseudoaneurysms complicating ankle sprains.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Aneurysm, False / diagnostic imaging
  • Aneurysm, False / etiology
  • Aneurysm, False / therapy*
  • Ankle / blood supply*
  • Ankle Injuries / complications*
  • Computed Tomography Angiography
  • Embolization, Therapeutic / instrumentation
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intra-Arterial
  • Male
  • Remission Induction
  • Remission, Spontaneous
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Sprains and Strains / complications*
  • Thrombin / administration & dosage*
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Thrombin