Successful Treatment of Iatrogenic Subclavian Artery Pseudoaneurysm by Ultrasound-Guided Thrombin Injection

Abstract

Ultrasound-guided thrombin injection has been well described as a safe and effective treatment for pseudoaneurysms of the femoral artery. However, cases for subclavian artery pseudoaneurysm are rare. An 82-year-old man developed an iatrogenic right subclavian artery pseudoaneurysm. The pseudoaneurysm, which was partially thrombosed, was successfully treated by ultrasound-guided percutaneous thrombin injection. A trial injection with saline under color Doppler ultrasonography was helpful for confirming that the tip of the needle was in the sac with blood flow in the partially thrombosed pseudoaneurysm. Ultrasound-guided thrombin injection can be the first treatment of choice to treat subclavian artery pseudoaneurysm.