A femoral aneurysm is bulging and weakness in the wall of the femoral artery, located in the thigh. Femoral aneurysms can burst, which may cause life-threatening, uncontrolled bleeding. The aneurysm may also cause a blood clot, potentially resulting in leg amputation.
Causes of Femoral Aneurysms
The exact cause of femoral aneurysms is not known, though atherosclerosis may play a key role. Trauma to the artery may also cause a femoral aneurysm.
Are You at Risk?
You may be at risk for a femoral aneurysm if you:
- Have high cholesterol
- Have high blood pressure
- Have a bacterial infection
- Have had blood-vessel reconstruction in one or both legs
Many femoral aneurysms have no symptoms. The most common symptom is pain below the knee.
Femoral Aneurysms: Diagnosis & Treatment
We can diagnose you with tests that include:
- Computed tomography (CT) scan
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan
Surgery is generally required to treat femoral aneurysms. Your surgeon will replace the artery with a graft or create a bypass around the area of the artery where the aneurysm is located.
It's important for you to carefully control high blood pressure with medication, if necessary.
Content was created using EBSCO’s Health Library. Edits to original content made by Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice.