Pseudoaneurysm of the Posterior Humeral Circumflex Artery After Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty: A Case Report.

CASE: A 78-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis and a massive rotator cuff tear of the right shoulder was treated with reverse shoulder arthroplasty, but a pseudoaneurysm in the posterior humeral circumflex artery suddenly ruptured 7 months after surgery. Embolization of the pseudoaneurysm and skin treatment successfully relieved her symptoms without implant removal. CONCLUSION: Although a rare occurrence, vascular complication can occur after shoulder arthroplasty. The cause of the pseudoaneurysm was hypothesized to be repetitive contact between the humeral component and the artery and/or chronic traction of the blood vessel because of its chronic onset.