A late pseudoaneurysm caused by thermal injury in the descending aorta: report of a case

Abstract

Pseudoaneurysm is a pulsating hematoma that occurs after an injury to all layers of the arterial wall. Traumas due to gunshot injuries may sometimes damage the arteries indirectly with the thermal energy causing deterioration in the arterial wall and rarely induce pseudoaneurysm formation. Pseudoaneurysm caused by the chest traumas in the adults have already been defined in the literature, however, pseudoaneurysms due to penetrating traumas in pediatric patients are very uncommon. We present a case of late pseudoaneurysm in the descending aorta of a six-year-old child caused by discharge of a hand gun.