Spontaneous pseudoaneurysm of the posterior tibial artery successfully treated by open surgery: Case report and review of the literature

RATIONALE: An extremely rare spontaneous pseudoaneurysm (PSA) of the posterior tibial artery (PTA) in a middle-aged male patient was cured by open surgery effectively. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 53-year-old man presented with the increasing swollen left shank for 1 day, with intermittent pain, pulselessness and pallor. He denied the history of trauma, infection, and other diseases. DIAGNOSES: Physical examination, past medical history, ankle brachial index, ultrasonography, computed tomographic angiography (CTA), 3-dimensional reconstruction image of the popliteal artery and its branches and histological examination of intraluminal thrombus and clots helped us diagnose the patient as spontaneous PSA of PTA. INTERVENTIONS: Our patient underwent excision of PSA and repair operation of PSA. OUTCOMES: The patient recovered well at 2-year follow-up. LESSONS: This rare case provides valuable insights for tissue repair and vascular surgery. Therapeutic methods should be in accordance with the best interest of patient. Open surgery is the effective treatment for spontaneous PSA of PTA.