Abstract

Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) is an arteriopathy of medium-sized vessels causing pathological arterial wall fragility. However, only minimal data exist on evaluating the risk of transradial access (TRA) in these patients. We describe the case of a woman in her 70s who underwent left middle meningeal artery embolisation for an acute-on-chronic subdural haematoma via right TRA. Radial angiography demonstrated significant FMD throughout the entire right upper extremity. To prevent radial spasm, a 23 cm sheath was placed without difficulty. However, follow-up angiography demonstrated the presence of a new radial arteriovenous fistula (AVF) just distal to the brachial bifurcation. Since no forearm haematoma or limb ischaemia developed, the procedure was continued transradially. After embolisation, the guide catheter was removed and follow-up angiography demonstrated resolution of the fistula. This case illustrates that, in the absence of concerning clinical signs, compression from the guide catheter alone may facilitate thrombosis of an acutely identified iatrogenic radial AVF.