Pseudoaneurysm of the Deep Circumflex Iliac Artery: A Rare Complication at an Anterior Iliac Bone Graft Donor Site Treated by Coil Embolization

Pseudoaneurysm formation of the deep circumflex iliac artery (DCIA) after harvesting an anterior iliac bone graft for spinal fusion is reported herein. A 76-year-old man with cer-vical myelopathy underwent anterior cervical decompression and fusion with a left anterior iliac bone graft. A painful left inguinal mass was noted 1 month later. He was admitted to our emergency ward. Angiography of the left external iliac artery was performed which showed a pseudoaneurysm of the DCIA. Selective transarterial coil embolization of the artery was performed, and bleeding was arrested. In a review of the previous literature, only 1 pseudoaneurysm of the DCIA was reported to be associated with anterior iliac bone graft. In conclusion, vascular injury after anterior iliac bone harvesting is rare but can occur. Selective transarterial coil embolization is a prompt and effective solution. (Chang Gung Med J 2002;25:480-4) Key words: deep circumflex iliac artery, pseudoaneurysm, anterior iliac bone graft, transarterial coil embolization