Pseudoaneurysm of the internal iliac artery caused by proximal femoral nail antirotation following intertrochanteric fracture: a case report

Abstract

Pseudoaneurysm of the internal iliac artery is a very rare complication of intertrochanteric fracture. Here, the case of an 88-year-old female patient, who presented with intense pain following surgery for intertrochanteric fracture of the femur, is reported. Radiography revealed intertrochanteric fracture of the left femur fixed by proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA). The PFNA was found to have disassembled, and the screw had penetrated through the acetabulum. As computed tomography (CT) revealed a haematoma behind the acetabulum, CT angiography was immediately performed. A pseudoaneurysm of the internal iliac artery caused by PFNA was revealed. Percutaneous endovascular treatment of the pseudoaneurysm was undertaken on an urgent basis. Three days later, the PFNA was removed, and the fracture was reduced and fixed with locking proximal femoral plate. The patient’s pain was significantly reduced following this corrective surgery. This case illustrates that substandard PFNA surgery for intertrochanteric fracture may result in pseudoaneurysm of the internal iliac artery.