Vertebral artery pseudoaneurysm. A rare complication of subclavian artery catheterization
J. F. Amaral, V. E. Grigoriev, G. S. Dorfman and W. I. Carney Jr
Department of Surgery, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence 02903.
The present case report details a previously unreported complication of
subclavian vein catheterization, vertebral artery pseudoaneurysm. Attention
to this problem was brought about in the patient by the development of
stridor and dysphagia noted 5 days following placement of the subclavian
catheter. A computed tomographic scan of the neck revealed a superior
mediastinal, contrast-enhancing mass in the region of the right subclavian
artery with a "bull's-eye" sign suggestive of a pseudoaneurysm.
Arteriography subsequently proved the pseudoaneurysm to be of vertebral
origin. The pseudoaneurysm was ligated via a neck incision together with a
median sternotomy to obtain vascular control. The evaluation and treatment
options of this problem are discussed.
