COLOR DOPPLER SONOGRAPHY OF GROIN COMPLICATIONS FOLLOWING FEMORAL-ARTERY CATHETERIZATION

Color Doppler sonography has proved to be an excellent technique for t he evaluation of groin complications following femoral artery catheter ization [1-4]. With the widespread use of fibrinolytic therapy, antico agulants, and large-diameter vascular sheaths, a marked increase has b een noted in the number of such complications [5, 6]. Accurate diagnos is of groin injuries is critical for establishing whether surgical or nonsurgical treatment is required, In this pictorial essay we review t he color Doppler sonography findings of these complications, emphasizi ng unusual complications such as pseudoaneurysms coincident with arter iovenous fistulas, multilobulated pseudoaneurysms, ruptured pseudoaneu rysms, and patent needle tracts. We also discuss the diagnostic pitfal ls and mimics of groin injuries, including lymphadenopathy, varicositi es, true aneurysms, and atypical but normal branch vessels.