Endovascular exclusion coupled with operative anterior leg compartment decompression in a case of postthromboembolectomy tibialis anterior false aneurysm

Abstract

The aim of this study was to present a case of iatrogenic thromboembolectomy-related tibialis anterior false aneurysm (FA) treated with endovascular FA exclusion and anterior leg compartment (ALC) operative decompression and to assess the current management options in posttraumatic leg vessel FAs. A 68-year-old man had a painful pulsating mass in the superior ALC 2 months after a thromboembolectomy was performed during popliteal aneurysm repair. He had been discharged under oral anticoagulation and had ALC manual massages for mild post-revascularization leg edema. Angio-CT showed tibialis anterior injury successfully treated with a covered stent graft, while a residual ALC hematoma was surgically evacuated. Endovascular treatment of tibialis anterior FAs using a covered stent graft is an excellent therapeutic option. After an endovascular procedure, caution must be taken to identify the need for early operative ALC decompression. Current leg vessel FA management should consider both the specific anatomic characteristics of the FA and the possibility of development of delayed compartment syndrome.