Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) are a group of inherited connective tissue disorders characterized by skin hyperextensibility, joint hypermobility, and tissue fragility. This syndrome is classified into six major types [1]. EDS type IV (EDS-IV), known as vascular type, is characterized by thin translucent skin, fragility or rupture of arteries, intestines and uterus. Patients with EDS-IV also show characteristic facial features and often suffer from extensive bruising [2]. Vascular complications in EDS-IV, such as arterial rupture, aneurysms, and dissection, are life threatening and often difficult to manage surgically because of the connective tissue fragility [2-4]. We report a 23-year-old male patient with EDS-IV associated with a posterior tibial arterial rupture successfully treated by a standard endovascular coil embolization.

A 23-year-old man noticed sudden pain in his left calf while walking. He came to our hospital as an out-patient. He had undergone colostomy because of sigmoid-colonic perforation 7 months ago in our hospital. At the colostomy, surgeons were alarmed by his friable intestine and mesentery. From these fragile organs and his translucent skin, he was clinically diagnosed as EDS-IV and skin biopsy revealed decrease of type III collagen production.

His left lower leg was swollen and aching, but his vital signs were normal. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan showed a swollen left calf and faint extravasation from left fibular artery (Figures 1(a) and (b)). 3D-CT angiograms (3D-CTA) revealed irregular dilatation of the left posterior tibial artery (Figure 1(c)). Extravasation from the fibular artery was so faint that the surgeons chose a conservative therapy without admission initially, hesitating to perform surgical intervention.

The patient, unfortunately, hit his swollen leg after 4 days and required emergency admission. Contrastedenhanced CT scan on admission revealed a vivid extravasation of contrast media from dilated left posterior tibial artery (Figure 2). To avoid compartment syndrome due to continuous arterial bleeding, immediate hemostasis was considered. The surgeons, however, hesitated to

perform surgical intervention because they had experienced much difficulty during the patient’s prior surgery (colostomy). Therefore, emergent endovascular therapy was planned.

We punctured the right femoral artery with Seldinger’s method using 4Fr-11 cm sheath introducer (Supersheath, Medikit, Tokyo, Japan). We then inserted the 4Fr diagnostic catheter (Shepherd-hook type, Create Medic, Yokohama, Japan) into the left superficial femoral artery via the aortic bifurcation using 0.035-inch guide wire (Medikit, Tokyo, Japan).

Left superficial femoral arteriogram showed a fusiform aneurysm of the posterior tibial artery with a segmental wall irregularity distal to the aneurysm (Figure 3(a)). Late arterial phase of the arteriogram also revealed an extravasation from the aneurysm (Figure 3(b)). Because we could easily pass the catheter through the aneurysm and irregular segment using microcatheter system (Renegade-18, Boston Scientific Japan, Tokyo, Japan/0.016-inch Radifocus GT wire, Terumo, Tokyo, Japan), we planned an internal trapping of the abnormal segment by the distal-to-proximal fashion. We initially deployed three detachable coils (Orbit Galaxy 5.0 mm - 15 cm, 4.0 mm - 12 cm, 4.0 mm - 12 cm, Johnson and Johnson, Tokyo, Japan) at the distal end of the irregular segment. Then we added a detachable coil (Matrix2 8.0 mm - 30 cm, Boston Scientific Japan, Tokyo, Japan) within the aneurysm followed by three coils (Matrix2 5.0 mm - 15 cm, Orbit Galaxy 3.5 mm - 7.5 cm, 3.5 mm - 7.5 cm) deployed at just proximal to the aneurysm (Figure 4).

After the embolization, the lesion was completely divided from the arterial supply of the left lower leg (Figure 5). Distal left posterior tibial artery of normal appearance was well-supplied via muscular branches. In

this patient, decompressing fasciotomy was unnecessary during the clinical course. Sixteen days after the embolization, the patient was discharged without any trouble at the puncture site or access route, or in the left lower leg.

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome type IV is a very rare disorder with marked fragility of arteries and organs. It is an autosomal dominant inherited disorder resulting from mutations in the gene of type III collagen (COL3A1) [5, 6]. About 64% - 77% of the patients develop vascular complications, such as arterial rupture threatening their life [3,5]. It has been reported that the initial symptom appears by the age of 20 years in almost patients, and their median survival age is 48 years [5].

We had achieved successful coil embolization for ruptured posterior tibial artery (PTA) in the present case of EDS-IV. To the best of our knowledge, ruptured PTA or pseudoaneurysm of PTA due to EDS-IV has been reported in only 3 cases [7-9]. All cases were treated by endovascular procedure. In these reports, antegrade approach via the ipsilateral or contralateral femoral puncture was performed in two cases, and a retrograde approach using distal PTA puncture was performed in another case.

It has been recognized that the most important complication in endovascular procedures for EDS-IV is a puncture-site trouble, such as femoral arterial rupture, pseudoaneurysm formation, or large access-site hematoma [3,4]. To avoid these procedure-related complications, Brooke et al. recommended an open repair and sheath-insertion with “U” stitch [4]. Smaller access devices and less traumatic catheter and wires are also recommended [4,7]. Hagspiel et al. had performed a retrograde catheter-approach for the ruptured PTA from a distal PTA puncture [7].

In the present case, we choose an antegrade approach via the contralateral femoral puncture with usual technique and devices. Accustomed femoral puncture seemed to be safer than the unusual antegrade puncture of ipsilateral femoral artery. We also thought that our standard 4Fr sheath-introducer and diagnostic catheter system was less traumatic. Some people may say that the ipsilateral femoral approach should be preferable rather than the contralateral way, because of the risk of vascular trouble during catheterization through a long approach crossing over the aortic bifurcation. There is, however, no report mentioning the arterial dissection or rupture of approach route for endovascular treatment of EDS-IV. In our case, fortunately, contrast-enhanced CT scan had revealed no aorto-iliac lesions. Therefore, we intentionally performed contralateral femoral puncture with great care. Of course, we also used the greatest care while handling the catheters and guidewires.

Internal coil trapping, as in the present case, should be a basic strategy to manage a ruptured artery in EDS-IV patients [7-11]. Transcatheter injection of n-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA)-Lipiodol mixture may be an optional technique when the microcatheter could not access the distal normal segment crossing through the ruptured site [9].

Successful embolization for ruptured PTA of the EDS-IV patient was achieved by a standard internal coil trapping technique with paying great care in handling the endovascular devices. Although EDS-IV patients are known to have fragile arteries, endovascular treatment can be a suitable alternative management, which we radiologists should try without hesitation, for peripheral vascular lesions in EDS-IV patients.