A Pseudoaneurysm of a Peripheral Artery Arising Four Years After Trauma to a Limb: A Case Report

A young woman who underwent plate fixation for a radial shaft fracture had an uneventful recovery for four years. Subsequently, over a four-month period, a slowly progressing swelling appeared in the forearm with no features of vascular insufficiency, bruits, or pulsatility. Doppler ultrasonography and computed tomography revealed a pseudoaneurysm arising from the ulnar artery. The patient was treated with exploration, evacuation of the clot, aneurysm repair, and implant removal.

To our knowledge, this is the longest period of quiescence reported for a posttraumatic pseudoaneurysm. A late pseudoaneurysm is possible in previously operated limbs, even after years of recovery and the absence of the typical features of vascular lesions.