False aneurysm of the brachial artery in an infant following attempted venipuncture.

False aneurysms have rarely been described in the pediatric age-group. Here a case of false aneurysm of the brachial artery following accidental arterial puncture at the site of attempted venipuncture is reported. Having obtained vascular control with digital compression, the arterial repair was performed by direct suture technique. The characteristics and differential diagnosis of false aneurysms are described. The majority of false aneurysms occur as complications of percutaneous catheterization.