A Pseudoaneurysm Secondary to Fracturing of a Calcified Superficial Femoral Artery: An Unusual Cause of Lower Limb Swelling Following Colonic Anterior Resection

A 79 year-old man presented four weeks following anterior resection with an acute swelling of his left lower limb. Duplex ultrasound and magnetic resonance angiography revealed a pseudoaneurysm of a heavily calcified SFA, but no venous thrombosis. At surgery, a pseudoaneurysm was isolated in a rigid SFA and a femoro-popliteal bypass performed. The pseudoaneurysm presumably resulted from fracturing of the calcified SFA during the previous admission. The case reinforces the importance of clinical examination and patient handling.

Keywords: Pseudoaneurysm, Superficial femoral artery, Arterial calcification, Fracture