False aneurysm of the profunda femoris artery complicating fracture of the femoral shaft and treated by transcatheter embolization. A case report.

False aneurysm of the profunda femoris artery is a serious complication following fractures of the femoral shaft. Development of the false aneurysm is due to either initial injury of the vessel or is a complication of internal fixation of the femoral fracture. Clinical diagnosis is confirmed by selective arterial angiography after occurrence of a significant haemorrhage or pulsatile swelling in the injured thigh. Our case confirms the effective use of selective arterial angiography in the diagnosis of a false aneurysm of the profunda femoris. Simultaneously therapeutic embolization of the localized false aneurysm was undertaken successfully. Diagnosis and management of the false aneurysm of the profunda femoris artery (distal third) was carried out within 30 minutes.