A case of pseudoaneurysm of the radial artery in a hemodialysis patient

Abstract

An 69-year-old woman with a 13-year history of hemodialysis had received an arteriovenous graft in the left upper arm. She consulted our outpatient department because of a 2-week history of painless swelling and redness of the left forearm. We performed Doppler ultrasonography (US) and three-dimensional computed tomography (3DCT) because of pulsations on the medial side of her forearm. US and 3DCT showed an aneurysm measuring 2.5×2.5×1.5 cm along the left radial artery beneath the bifurcation of the brachial artery. Resection of the aneurysm was performed, and swelling of her forearm improved. Histopathology showed pseudoaneurysm. Culture of the aneurysm was negative. There was no history of trauma or puncture to the left radial artery. The aneurysm was thought to be due to atherosclerosis.
To date, she has not developed another aneurysm. This is a rare case of non-iatrogenic solitary aneurysm occurring in a hemodialysis patient.