Percutaneous ultrasound-guided thrombin injection for coagulation of post-traumatic pseudoaneurysms

Most peripheral pseudoaneurysms are iatrogenic or, less commonly, post-traumatic. Pseudoaneurysms are associated with characteristic findings of a pulsatile palpable mass and an audible to and fro murmur. The diagnosis can be easily confirmed using colour duplex ultrasound. A successful treatment for the coagulation of pseudoaneurysms as an alternative to ultrasound-guided manual compression is described. The method involves ultrasound-guided direct percutaneous injection of a small quantity of thrombin through a fine needle. This technique is simple and effective, resulting in rapid occlusion of the pseudoaneurysm. Two cases are reported.