Journal List > J Korean Fract Soc > v.29(1) > 1038087

Yang, Won, Kim, Park, and Jung: Calcified Anterior Tibial Artery Entrapment in Distal Third Tibial Fracture: A Case Report

Abstract

In the distal third of the tibia, the anterior tibial artery runs close to the anterolateral surface of the tibial cortex. In a clinical situation, without vascular evaluation, injury or entrapment of the anterior tibial artery is difficult to detect. Because, an intact dorsalis pedis pulse is supplied with the collateral vessels of the posterior tibial artery. An entrapped anterior tibial artery can be injured during closed reduction in an emergency room or open reduction and internal fixation in the operating room. Care must be taken to prevent iatrogenic anterior tibial artery. In this case, an entrapped anterior tibial artery was observed in a simple radiograph and computed tomograph without contrast media for the vessel. We report on a rare case of calcified anterior tibial artery entrapment in a distal tibial fracture.

Figures and Tables

Fig. 1

An 80-year-old female patient with a spiral distal tibial fracture. (A) Antero-posterior view. (B) Lateral view. (C) Oblique view. Entrapped vessel is shown at the fracture site in the plain radiograph (arrow).

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Fig. 2

Preoperative computed tomography axial images show the calcified anterior tibial artery (white arrows) at the fracture site.

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Fig. 3

Intraoperative photograph shows entrapment of the anterior tibial artery (arrow).

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Fig. 4

(A) Postoperative computed tomography axial images show the reduction of calcified anterior tibial artery (arrow) in the fracture site and the fixation of fracture with locking compression plate. (B) Postoperative plain radiograph shows intact anterior tibial artery (arrow head).

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Notes

Financial support None.

Conflict of interest None.

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