[Atrogenic pseudoaneurysm of axillary artery].

Mai l ing Address : Amé l ia C r i s t ina Se ide l • Rua Dr . Gera rdo B raga , 118 – 87050 -610 – Mar ingá , PR B raz i l E-mail: [email protected] Received on 06/29/05 • Accepted on 07/25/05 Pseudoaneurysms can be caused by several mechanisms, such as infection, trauma, surgical procedures and interventional radiology following percutaneous catheterization by transfemoral or transbrachial approach1. With the increasing use of interventional and invasive diagnostic methods to treat cardiovascular diseases, it is important to be aware of the types and incidence of potential complications associated with these procedures. According to medical literature, the incidence of pseudoaneurysms ranges from 0.1 to 6%2 and up to 0.5 to 9% depending on the diagnostic or therapeutic procedure performed3. However, the number of upper limb pseudoaneurysms is signifi cantly lower than those that affect the lower limbs (less than 2% of all lesions) 4. There are only a few reports of axillary aneurysms caused by trauma with shoulder dislocations or gunshot injuries. The objective of this paper is to illustrate a potential complication associated with interventional procedures and also indicate diagnosis and treatment options.