Rupture of a True Profunda Femoris Artery Aneurysm: Two Case Reports and Review of the English Language Literature

Profunda femoris artery aneurysms (PFAAs) are very rare and easily overlooked because they are located deeply within thigh muscle. PFAAs have a high rate of rupture in comparison with other peripheral arterial aneurysms, resulting in emergency surgical procedures with significant morbidity. PFAA is diagnosed with color arterial Doppler ultrasound, although computed tomography angiography remains the best imaging method to precisely define the exact site and length of arterial involvement. PFAAs should be treated surgically once diagnosed, even if they are asymptomatic due to the high incidence of complications. Currently, around 28 patients with PFAA rupture, including the 2 cases from this report, have been described in the English language literature. In this report, we describe the diagnosis and treatment of 2 true ruptured aneurysms of the profunda femoris artery with 2 different approaches, and will review the relevant literature.