Aneurysms of the hand: Imaging and surgical technique

Hand aneurysms are a rare entity only described as case reports in the literature. The aim of our study was to describe a series of four cases and the surgical technique using an arterial bypass. We also wanted to define an algorithm for the imaging of this pathology. We have operated on four patients with hand aneurysms in the past decade or so. One patient had an aneurysm in the thumb proper palmar digital artery, one in the superficial palmar arch and the two others in the ulnar artery. All patients had an excision surgery with direct arterial bypass; no patient had a venous graft. All patients were seen a few years after the surgery and underwent an ultrasonography to check the anastomosis permeability. All anastomoses were permeable 2 to 8 years after surgery. Through a review of the literature we discuss the best algorithm for imaging a hand aneurysm. Direct arterial suture by proximal and distal mobilization allows for long-term permeability. If a graft is necessary, a graft of arterial origin should be preferred. The additional first-line examination is ultrasonography, followed by arteriography if acute ischemia is present; otherwise, CT angiography or MR angiography is performed.