Open AccessA Rare Case of Pseudoaneurysm of the Brachial Artery in Supracondylar Humerus Fracture
Author(s) -
Sudhindra Kulkarni,
Manjunath Daragad,
Sunil Mannual,
Yashwanth Krishna
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of orthopaedic case reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2321-3817
pISSN - 2250-0685
DOI - 10.13107/jocr.2021.v11.i06.2256
Subject(s) - medicine , brachial artery , pseudoaneurysm , surgery , neurovascular bundle , humerus , elbow , fixation (population genetics) , posterior tibial artery , complication , artery , radiology , blood pressure , population , environmental health
Supracondylar humerus fractures are very common fractures in children. About 10–14% are associated with vascular complications. We report a rare case of pseudoaneurysm of the brachial artery which was promptly detected in a well-perfused hand nearly 2 weeks after reduction and fixation.Case Report: A 10-year-old girl with Type I open supracondylar fracture of the left humerus (Modified Gartland Type 2) presented 2 weeks post-fixation with pulsatile mass in the elbow. Imaging revealed a pseudoaneurysm of brachial artery which was managed by excision and reconstruction using great saphenous vein graft. The fracture united uneventfully and the child made a full return to pre-fracture level of activity.Conclusion: The case highlights the occurrence of pseudoaneurysm of brachial artery, a rare complication seen few days or weeks after the injury, which coincides with the post-operative period in children managed by surgical fixation. This emphasizes the need for periodic monitoring of the neurovascular status of the children even after successful reduction and fixation.Keywords: Supracondylar humerus fracture, vascular complication, pseudoaneurysm.