Microcoil embolization for the treatment of traumatic pseudoaneurysm of lower extremity

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of microcoil embolization in the treatment of traumatic pseudoaneurysm (TPA)of lower extremity. Methods: The clinical data of 4 patients with TPA of lower extremity, who were admitted to Nanjing Zhongda Hospital of China during the period from April 2016 to June 2018 to receive microcoil embolization therapy, were retrospectively analyzed. Preoperative CTA and intraoperative angiography were performed to evaluate the morphological characteristics of TPA, the anatomical characteristics of the parent artery and the collateral circulation. After the diagnosis was confirmed by intraoperative angiography, embolization with microcoils to occlude the parent artery and the pseudoaneurysm cavity was carried out. Postoperative CTA was performed to evaluate the embolization effect for pseudoaneurysm and to detect the recurrence of TPA and the shifting of microcoil. The patients were followed up to observe the improvement of clinical symptoms and signs, and the postoperative complications were recorded. Results: Preoperative CTA and intraopertaive angiography confirmed the diagnosis of TPA in all 4 patients. Successful embolization of pseudoaneurysm cavity was accomplished in all 4 patients. Angiography performed immediately after embolization showed that previous pseudoaneurysm disappeared and no ectopic embolism by coil was seen. After treatment, the symptoms and signs of the patients were significantly improved and no complications occurred. No recurrence of pseudoaneurysm was found on followup CT angiography. Conclusion: For the treatment of TPA of lower extremity, microcoil embolization is safe and effective. This therapy has obvious advantages, and microcoil can be used as preferred embolic material. (authors)