Iliac artery pseudoaneurysm presenting as a paravertebral collection: A potentially fatal mimic

Sawsan Taif*, Asif Alrawi, Jokha Al-Kalbani

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Pseudoaneurysms of the iliac arteries are extremely rare and can complicate trauma, surgical or interventional procedures. We report a case of pseudoaneurysm arising from the common iliac artery in a 37-year-old man which presented as a paravertebral collection. As the MRI appearance mimicked spondylodiscitis, a CT guided biopsy was requested. However, the presence of a signal void centre guided the radiologist to the correct diagnosis, which was later confirmed on contrastenhanced CT. Following unsuccessful treatment by percutaneous thrombin injection, open surgery was performed which revealed a leaking aneurysm associated with a huge retroperitoneal haematoma. We present this case to highlight the importance of considering vascular lesions as a differential diagnosis in patients presenting with a mass or pressure symptoms in different parts of the body. Misdiagnosing such lesions as soft tissue tumours or abscesses may result in serious consequences.

Original languageEnglish
Article number203428
JournalBMJ Case Reports
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 20 2014
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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