Pseudoaneurism of the brachial artery mimicking a soft tissue sarcoma: Case report

Abstract

The current case is one of the rare clinical presentations of the brachial artery pseudo aneurysm presentation in children Pseudo-aneurism is one of the late complications of a missed or untreated arterial injury. The diagnosis is suggested in the presence of clinical signs such as: an expending, ill-defined mass with or without pulsation; bruit, pain, paresthesia, or paralysis due to nerve compression. Although plain X-Rays may show a nonspecific soft tissue mass, arteriography is essential in defining differentiating pseudo aneurisms from other soft masses. We report a case of a 10years old boy with a history of a stab injury in a well vascularized left cubital fossa region. The physical examination revealed a soft tissue mass with eroded skin. Ultrasound and MRI findings were respectively of an infected soft tissue mass and probable malignant soft tissue mass. Open biopsy was planned but surgical finding revealed a pseudo aneurism of the left brachial artery before its bifurcation. Brachial arterial lesion was repaired blood flow reestablished with clinical improvement.