A case report of a perigraft inflammatory reaction to a Viabahn stent-graft: diagnosis with MRI and treatment with steroids

BACKGROUND: Perigraft inflammatory reactions to prosthetic graft materials in vascular surgery have been reported; however, to our knowledge, this is the first report of a perigraft inflammatory reaction to a Viabahn stent-graft used in a superficial femoral artery occlusion lesion. CASE PRESENTATION: A 76-year-old man with right leg claudication was diagnosed with a right superficial femoral artery occlusion via contrast-enhanced computed tomography. Endovascular treatment included intravascular ultrasound for passing through the true lumen. A 25-cm Viabahn stent-graft (diameter 5 mm) was implanted. The patient developed pain and local swelling of the right thigh 5 days after endovascular treatment. Blood analysis revealed elevated inflammatory marker levels. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed extensive soft-tissue edema and a high perivascular T2 signal around the right superficial femoral artery. Clinical symptoms resolved within 7 days after initiating steroid therapy, which was gradually decreased and halted after 3 weeks. Follow-up magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated substantially reduced inflammation over the following months. CONCLUSIONS: Perigraft inflammatory reaction to a Viabahn stent-graft implant can be immediately diagnosed via magnetic resonance imaging and treated with steroids to reduce the possibility of stent-graft occlusion.