This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Megalopoulos, A. Articles by Trelopoulos, G. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Megalopoulos, A. Articles by Trelopoulos, G. Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Traumatic Pseudoaneurysm of the Popliteal Artery After Blunt Trauma: Case Report and a Review of the Literature

1st Surgical Clinic, General Hospital "G. Papanikolaou," Exohi, Thessaloniki, Greece

Sotirios Siminas

1st Pediatric Surgery Clinic of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, General Hospital "G. Gennimatas," Thessaloniki, Greece; 33, Petrou Syndika St, Thessaloniki, Greece 54643; siminas{at}medscape.com;siminas1@gmail.com

Georgios Trelopoulos, PhD

1st Surgical Clinic, General Hospital "G. Papanikolaou," Exohi, Thessaloniki, Greece

Pseudoaneurysms of the popliteal artery following trauma are rare lesions. We present 3 cases of pseudoaneurysms of the popliteal artery (4, 20, and 45 years old respectively) with a delayed presentation, following blunt trauma, presenting over a 3-year period, and a short review of the relevant literature. A delayed pattern of presentation, over 2 years after blunt popliteal trauma, was observed in all patients. They presented with a painful pulsatile mass in the popliteal fossa, and their peripheral pulses were normal. Orthopedic and rheumatologic evaluation findings were negative. Diagnostic evaluation included triplex, arteriography, and computed tomography angiography. A posterior popliteal approach was used, and after aneurysmal excision, reversed great saphenous vein and lesser saphenous vein (1 patient) grafts were used. After 2 to 4 years of follow-up, all grafts remain patent and the patients have fully functional limbs. A literature search revealed 70 cases of pseudoaneurysms of the popliteal artery reported in civilian settings. These lesions should be repaired shortly because their complications (rupture, thromboembolic episodes) carry a high risk for limb dysfunction and amputation. Penetrating or blunt trauma is the main causative factor (62.5%), but iatrogenic trauma accounts for an increasing number of reports (37.5%). Strict follow-up of popliteal trauma is essential. A high level of suspicion and awareness can lead to early diagnosis and treatment of pseudoaneurysms of the popliteal artery and prevent the serious complications associated with these lesions.

Key Words: pseudoaneurysm • popliteal artery • trauma

Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Vol. 40, No. 6, 499-504 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/1538574406290037


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?