Pseudoaneurysm - A Late and Rare Occurrence Following Shoulder Arthroscopy

The incidence of vascular injuries from arthroscopic surgeries has been reported to be 0.005%. Pseudoaneurysms account for 11% of those injuries.

In this case report, we discuss a 76-year-old female who presented with a pulsatile swelling in the right shoulder after 10 years following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Imaging confirmed the diagnosis of a posterior circumflex artery pseudoaneurysm. The patient was successfully embolised using a transradial approach with thrombosis of the pseudoaneurysm.

Vascular injuries following arthroscopic shoulder surgery are rare. However, a pseudoaneurysm should be considered in patients who present with swelling at the surgical site, regardless of the post-operative interval.