Pseudoaneurysm Formation after Repetitive Suction Thrombectomy Using a Penumbra Suction Catheter

With the recent advent of suction catheters, the use of manual aspiration thrombectomy (MAT) for patients with acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion has increased. Although contrast leakage and subarachnoid hemorrhage have been reported during MAT procedures, pseudoaneurysm formation due to vessel injury by suction catheters has not been. We discuss the case of a 60-year-old woman who presented to our emergency room with dysarthria and left-sided weakness. She underwent suction thrombectomy 5 times for acute middle cerebral artery occlusion and significant contrast leakage occurred during the procedure. On follow-up angiogram on post-operative day 15, we noticed a pseudoaneurysm, which was treated with detachable coil embolization. Surgeons who perform suction thrombectomy should keep in mind the possibility of vessel injury that results in the formation of a pseudoaneurysm, especially at the branching site or tortuous segments.