Traumatic pseudoaneurysm of the left occipital artery: a case report

Abstract

Evaluation of subcutaneous mass is crucial in determining the course of treatment. While computed tomography (CT) is the standard, ultrasonography (US) can also provide extra information in assessing the characteristics of the mass. We report on a case of a 70-year-old woman who presented with a pulsatile occipital mass that was subsequently diagnosed as subcutaneous aneurysm. The trauma occurred in the home where she fell and hit the back of her head. The initial CT showed a subcutaneous hematoma without any intracranial traumatic lesions. However, a lump gradually grew, and she revisited the hospital 3 months later complaining of it being pulsatile. The follow-up CT revealed a subcutaneous mass of 3 cm at the left occipital region. The US showed an aneurysm of 30×14×23 mm arising from the occipital artery on the left side and the jet stream was observed through the orifice. The aneurysm was trapped and resected. The pathological diagnosis was concluded as pseudoaneurysm. The US had provided extra information to determine the disease as an aneurysm and was very useful for evaluation of subcutaneous mass of head.