DIAGNOSIS OF POSTTRAUMATIC ARTERIOVENOUS FISTULA USING CT ANGIOGRAPHY: A CASE REPORT

Introduction: Injuries of the extremities can result in the development of arteriovenous fistula. There is a significant variability in clinical presentation and often prove difficult to detect. A case report: This is a case report of a 26 years old man, who presented with a pulsatile mass on the left leg, without significant clinic and with a history of a stab wound to the left upper thigh 5 years earlier. An ultrasound scan revealed a communication between femoral artery and vein, also a sacular dilatation of the femoral artery. An Angio-CT was performed for a further diagnostic evaluation and confirmed an 6.6 cm venous varix of the left femoral vein and early opacification of the vein due to an AV fistula from the superficial left femoral artery. Conclusion: A CTA and an ultrasound scan should be performed when a vascular abnormality is suspected in a patient with a history of trauma in close proximity to major vessels.