Idiopathic Pseudoaneurysm of the Radial Artery: A Case Successfully Diagnosed Using Point-of-Care Ultrasound and Treated With Endovascular Therapy

TL;DR

A rare case of radial artery pseudoaneurysm was diagnosed with ultrasound and successfully treated with a less invasive endovascular method.

Contribution

Demonstrates the effectiveness of POCUS and endovascular therapy for idiopathic radial artery pseudoaneurysms.

Findings

POCUS identified a yin-yang sign indicative of a pseudoaneurysm.

Endovascular treatment was less invasive and effective in resolving the condition.

Idiopathic cases require differentiation from other soft tissue diseases.

Abstract

Pseudoaneurysms of the radial artery often occur in association with catheterization procedures or trauma, and idiopathic cases are rare. Point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS) is effective for diagnosis; however, the effectiveness of endovascular treatment for pseudoaneurysms remains unclear. A 64-year-old male patient presented to the emergency department with pain and swelling of the left forearm and hand. Symptoms appeared seven days prior and were treated with antibiotics, but there was no improvement. POCUS revealed a yin-yang sign, and contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed a pseudoaneurysm of the radial artery. Endovascular treatment was performed. Idiopathic radial artery pseudoaneurysms are rare, and differentiating them from other soft tissue diseases is important. Emergency physicians should be aware that POCUS is effective for the rapid diagnosis of idiopathic radial artery pseudoaneurysms and that endovascular treatment is less invasive and may be effective.

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