False aneurysm of the femoral artery due to an osteochondroma

Abstract

Two cases of primary misdiagnosis of a posttraumatic false aneurysm are reported. In the first case a twenty-year-old patient was hospitalized under the diagnosis of a malignant soft tissue tumor five weeks after a kick against the right distal thigh. Diagnostic procedures performed in our clinic, however, led to the expectation of a false aneurysm of the femoral artery, caused by perforation of the wall of the vessel by an osteochondroma. Intraoperative findings confirmed this and led to the supposition of a connection with the mechanical trauma. The postoperative course was uneventful. The second case had a similar history. Prophylactic excision of osteochondromas in areas with increased risk of perforation, as in the region of the femoropopliteal junction, is recommended.

Exostoses and Vascular Complications in the Lower Limbs: Two Case Reports and Review of the Literature

“…In this literature review, there are 57 cases; however only Ennker et al, 15 Smits and Moll, 26 Vasseur and Fabre, 29 and Chaouch et al 45 have described more than one case.…”

Vascular complications of osteochondromas

“…The association of swelling in the area of the knee and distal ischemia has been reported in three cases, as the result of peripheral emboli from the false aneurysm. 2,33,34 Generally, the voluminous osteochondromas were compressing a surrounding vein or artery resulting in phlebitis or ischemia, although a pulsatile swelling was the consequence of the arterial wall perforation by the sharp extremity of osteochondromas. Approximately 34% of patients (data collected on 51 patients) with a vascular complication had a medical history of trauma or vigorous exercise a few weeks before hospital admission.…”

Vascular complications of osteochondromas

“…The association of swelling in the area of the knee and distal ischemia has been reported in three cases, as the result of peripheral emboli from the false aneurysm. 2,33,34 Generally, the voluminous osteochondromas were compressing a surrounding vein or artery resulting in phlebitis or ischemia, although a pulsatile swelling was the consequence of the arterial wall perforation by the sharp extremity of osteochondromas. Approximately 34% of patients (data collected on 51 patients) with a vascular complication had a medical history of trauma or vigorous exercise a few weeks before hospital admission.…”