Clinical Practice and Cases in Emergency Medicine

Introduction: Traumatic pseudoaneurysms of the limbs are rare, with few cases described in vascular literature. Treatment is variable and dependent upon presentation and impact on local anatomy affected. Rapid assessment can be performed with ultrasound and assist in treatment decisions. We describe a case of traumatic anterior tibial artery pseudoaneurysm, which was rapidly identified with point-of-care ultrasound leading to definitive surgical management.

Case Report: A 37-year-old female presented to the emergency department for evaluation of right lower extremity pain and swelling following an exercise session with weighted squats and thigh abductor machines. She was found to have an anterior tibial artery pseudoaneurysm on point-of-care ultrasound, later confirmed with formal ultrasound as well as angiography, and was admitted for surgical management.

Conclusion: Traumatic pseudoaneurysms can rapidly be differentiated from other mass lesions and contributors to compartment syndrome using point-of-care ultrasound.