Iatrogenic pseudoaneurysm in a hemodialysis patient: the hidden hazard of a high radial artery origin.

High origin of the radial artery is the most common variation in the arterial network of the upper extremities in humans. A 36-year-old Japanese woman undergoing chronic hemodialysis presented with a pseudoaneurysm originating from the brachial portion of the radial artery and associated with a high radial artery origin. Recognition of variants of the arterial network in the upper extremities is crucial for clinicians because their superficial position at the elbow joint may make these vessels vulnerable to injury.