Superior Gluteal Artery Pseudoaneurysm Presenting as a Gluteal Mass: Case Report and Review of Literature

Abstract

Aneurysms of the gluteal arteries are very rare with the majority being post-trauma pseudoaneurysms. Generally, management of these aneurysms could be surgical or through endovascular techniques. We present a case of a superior gluteal artery pseudoaneurysm complicating a pelvic fracture that presented as a gluteal mass. It was successfully treated by transcatheter coil embolization. We review the presentation, imaging, and treatment options. Aneurysms have to be considered in the differential diagnosis of soft tissue masses, therefore lesion intervention by aspiration or needle biopsy should not be tried before ruling out a possible vascular nature which will easily be revealed by ultrasound Doppler or computed tomography scans.

Ruptured Superior Gluteal Artery Pseudoaneurysm with Hemorrhagic Shock: A Case Report

“…1 They occur due to breaching and thinning of the arterial wall, after which these aneurysms are enclosed only by the adventitial layer. Although the major causes of breaching and thinning are blunt or penetrating pelvic traumas, some less commonly reported ones were iatrogenic causes, infection, and atherosclerosis.…”

Traumatic superior gluteal artery pseudoaneurysm following a bone marrow biopsy

“…2,3 Pseudoaneurysms arise from a defect in the artery wall with active bleeding into surrounding haematoma. 4 Superior gluteal artery pseudoaneurysms are a rare but known complication of bone marrow biopsies taken from the posterior iliac crest with a typical presentation of pain and swelling within the gluteal or retroperitoneal compartments. 4,5 Morbidity following a superior gluteal artery pseudoaneurysm can be significant with prolonged hospital stays and case reports of patients having sciatic nerve injury.…”

“…4 Superior gluteal artery pseudoaneurysms are a rare but known complication of bone marrow biopsies taken from the posterior iliac crest with a typical presentation of pain and swelling within the gluteal or retroperitoneal compartments. 4,5 Morbidity following a superior gluteal artery pseudoaneurysm can be significant with prolonged hospital stays and case reports of patients having sciatic nerve injury. 6 Endovascular treatment of traumatic pseudoaneurysms provides a fast, effective and minimally invasive method for patients who would otherwise require open surgery.…”

Sonographic Diagnosis of a Superior Gluteal Artery Arteriovenous Fistula and Pseudoaneurysm After Bone Marrow Biopsy

“…To date, only Clinical Letters 6 cases of pseudoaneurysms of the superior gluteal artery occurring after bone marrow biopsy have been reported. [8][9][10] Most recently, Sullivan and Regi 10 reported a case of a pseudoaneurysm of the superior gluteal artery in a patient who presented with an episode of "collapse" after bone marrow biopsy. He did not lose consciousness and reported mainly "shooting" pains to and a feeling of "tingling" in his foot, which was ipsilateral to the site of the biopsy.…”