Extrinsic compression of the external iliac artery following internal fixation of an acetabular fracture.

Abstract

Vascular injuries following fixation of acetabular injuries are becoming increasingly recognized. Most case reports describe thrombosis or rupture of the adjacent artery. Repair of these injuries is most often described by open technique with endovascular repair rarely reported. Here, we present a case of injury to the external iliac artery caused by extrinsic compression from orthopedic hardware following acetabular fracture repair. Diagnosis of this injury was difficult with angiography, but on duplex ultrasonography, the injury was more clearly seen. The injury was treated with endovascular angioplasty and stenting, with restoration of normal arterial flow to the lower extremity.