Pseudoaneurysm of the brachial artery in a four-month-old boy: diagnosis and treatment.

Pseudoaneurysms arise from a disruption in the arterial wall and blood dissecting into the tissues around the damaged artery creating a perfused sac that communicates with the arterial lumen. Trauma to the wall of the artery may lead to the development of a pseudoaneurysm. Post-traumatic pseudoaneurysm development is very rare in the peripheral artery and often is a consequence of venipuncture. We have reported the case of the four-month-old boy who developed a pseudoaneurysm following an accidental arterial puncture. In the antecubital area we noticed a pulsative mass and palpable thrill. The patient underwent a Doppler ultrasound examination and CT with contrast. Surgery was indicated. Following excision of the pseudoaneurysm, an end-to-end anastomosis was performed. Follow-up for four years revealed palpable peripheral pulsation at the wrist level. In the postoperative period, all ultrasound findings were normal. End-to-end anastomosis is preferable if it can be performed without tension or damage to the major collateral vessels.