Sonographer’s Role in the Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Dialysis Fistula Pseudoaneurysms

Abstract

Pseudoaneurysm (PSA) formation, in an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) undergoing hemodialysis, can occur as a result of frequent venipunctures and can lead to a weakened vessel wall. Since many dialysis patients’ lives depend on their weekly hemodialysis sessions, complications that result from dialysis require treatment. A PSA can be a life-threatening complication, especially for these patients. Sonography has been demonstrated to be a useful modality of choice in the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of a PSA. The sonographic appearance of a PSA using gray-scale, color, and spectral Doppler can play a significant role in ruling out other diagnoses. A case study is presented of a dialysis-dependent patient who developed a PSA in his dialysis access site. Sonography played a key role in the diagnosis and follow-up for this specific case. Due to the risks involved with these patients, there is an essential need for sonographers to be competent in performing these examinations. Evaluation of the AVF to check for patency and a thorough assessment of the PSA are required.