Traumatic iliofemoral arterial injury: an association with high anterior acetabular fractures.

Two patients with documented anteroposterior compression injuries to the pelvis sustained concomitant injury to the iliofemoral artery and fracture of the acetabulum involving the high anterior column (the portion of the ilium forming the anterior component of the acetabulum). In a series of 800 major pelvic fractures similar arterial injuries have not occurred in association with other documented mechanisms. A high index of suspicion for iliofemoral artery injuries should be held by the clinician treating patients with acetabular fractures of the high anterior column sustained from anteroposterior compressive forces.