Radial artery mycotic pseudoaneurysm: An unusual complication of catheterization

Radial Artery “Mycotic” Pseudoaneurysm Occurring After Arterial Line Placement

“…1 Pseudoaneurysms should be on the differential diagnosis in any patient suspected of having or confirmed to have an arterial catheter infection, especially if worsening pain is a prominent complaint, as in this case and in almost all the cases reported in this article.…”

Do Not Bite the Hand That Feeds You

“…Although the mass may have a palpable thrill or bruit, the absence of these does not preclude the presence of a pseudoaneurysm. 2 Physical examination and a good history is all that is usually required to make the diagnosis. When in doubt, rapid assessment using duplex ultrasonography will demonstrate the characteristic ''yin-yang'' sign of whirling blood flow within the pseudoaneurysm.…”

“…In addition, waveform analysis will demonstrate alternating systolic blood flow into the pseudoaneurysm and diastolic flow out of the chamber producing the characteristic ''to-and-fro'' sign. 2 Although treatment options for pseudoaneurysms have evolved to include nonsurgical therapies such as ultrasound-guided compression and thrombin injection, the management of a radial artery pseudoaneurysm, particularly if infected, is surgical. 6 If circulation through the palmer arch as determined by a pulse oximetry Allen's test is satisfactory, then simple resection of the radial artery pseudoaneurysm is an efficient and quick cure.…”

Simultaneous Infected Pseudoaneurysm and Suppurative Tenosynovitis Resulting from Radial Artery Cannulation

“…The diagnosis is confirmed by gray-scale and color Doppler sonography showing thrombosis and turbulence [3]. Patients with S. aureus radial artery catheter infection that persists longer than 48 h after the start of antibiotic therapy and catheter removal are at high risk of pseudoaneurysm formation [2].…”