Femoral artery pseudoaneurysm: Colour and duplex doppler evaluation

ABSTRACT

Pseudoaneurysm is an uncommon complication that usually results from an arterial puncture and presents as a focal pulsatile mass, clinical differentiation of which may be quite difficult from transmitted pulsation. Early diagnosis and prompt surgery is required because it has a potential to expand and rupture leading to massive blood loss. Although angiography provides a definite diagnosis yet the finding may be very subtle. This is the case report of a patient who developed a pseudoaneurysm of the femoral artery which was diagnosed with the aid of colour Doppler imaging and later confirmed on surgery. Colour Doppler is a new useful imaging modality which simultaneously shows flow throughout the field and structure in a two-dimensional image