Doppler ultrasound in the diagnosis and follow-up of the muscle rupture and an arteriovenous fistula of the thigh in 12 year boy

Abstract

Background. With this case report the authors wish to present the accuracy of non-invasive vascular imaging methods, especially Doppler ultrasound, in the evaluation of the muscular trauma and periskeletal soft tissue vascular anomalies.

Case report. Twelve year-old boy has been admitted with the right femoral quadriceps muscle traumatic rupture. Postoperative B-mod sonography (US) visualised recidivuous haematoma and Power Doppler depicted hypervascularized area, suspected vascular malformation (angioma). Doppler findings obtained on the right thigh vasculature gave us reasons to think about posttraumatic arteriovenous fistula. Doppler has been repeated in the specialized paediatric institution with the same results. Digital subtraction angiography, 8 months after trauma, did not confirm suspicions reported in US findings. Spiral computed tomographic angiography (CTA) performed 11 months after trauma clearly depicted a lesion which had been repeatedly described in US findings. Fourteen months after trauma the vascular surgeon performed the deep femoral artery muscular branches ligation, but in the official report only arteriovenous fistula was mentioned. After the surgery the patient was clinically better. The aetiology of the right femoral arteriovenous fistula and hypervascularized structure remains unclear.

Conclusions. Every inadequately behaving, recidivous posttraumatic haematoma should be evaluated with Doppler ultrasound. CTA can be performed if it is needed to clarify US findings.