Popliteal

Popliteal
aneurysm
CAUSES, SYMPTOMS AND
TREATMENT
PRESENTED BY: GURUKIRAN(43)
HARSHITHA D
RAJ(44)
HARSHITHA
CASE STUDY
A 63 year old man was admitted with right lower limb
pain of two months aggravated by walking and edema.
There was no prior history of claudication. He had
previously seen by an orthopedic surgeon for his
symptoms. Analgesic treatment and a simple knee brace
were recommended. Digital subtraction angiography of
lower limb extremities was performed. This examination
revealed POPLITEAL ARTERY ANEURYSM with
diameter of 40x34mm and the patient was scheduled for
What is popliteal aneurysm?
Popliteal aneurysm is an irregular bulge

that occurs in the wall of the popliteal
artery located behind the knee joint i.e
in the popliteal fossa.
How common are they?
Popliteal aneurysms happen 1 in 1,00,000 people
assigned female at birth(AFAB) and 7 in 1,00,000 people
assigned male at birth(AMAB).
Popliteal aneurysms are not common, but they’re second
only to abdominal aneurysms.
 These two are related and half of the people with
popliteal aneurysm will also have abdominal aortic
aneurysm. So if a provider finds either aneurysm, it’s
important to look for the other
OVERVIEW OF POPLITEAL ARTERY
It is the continuation of femoral artery. It begins at adductor hiatus, crosses

the floor of popliteal fossa from the medial to lateral side to reach lower
border of popliteus and terminates by dividing into anterior and posterior
tibial artery.
RELATIONS
Anterior(deep): Floor of the popliteal fossa.
Posterior(superficial): Popliteal vein, tibial nerve,
fascial roof, superficial fascial and skin.
BRANCHES: Cutaneous branches, muscular branches and genicular
CAUSES
Arterial aneurysm can affect any artery of our body
They affect the elderly patients and ATHEROSCLEROSIS is
the cause.
One third of the cases of atherosclerosis are
associated with aneurysm.
High blood pressure.
Wear and tear of popliteal artery due to repeat use
of knee joint.
SYMPYTOMS:
Usually people don’t have any symptoms but aneurysms can be
life-threatening.
In the later stages the symptoms maybe
Swelling behind the knee.
Knee pain.
Lower leg pain.
Pulsing feeling behind the knee.
CLINICAL CONDITIONS
Striking proponderance in males.
Male: female ratio is 20-30:1
Presents as a swelling behind the knee
Dull aching is common. Severe bursting pain
indicates rapid expansion and impeding rupture.
Its size diminishes on extending the knee as the
aneurysm is deep to popliteal fascia
INVESTIGATIONS
DUPLEX ULTRASONOGRAPHY
It is the investigation of choice which can measure
diameter and determine extent of mutual thrombus.
ANGIOGRAPHY
It can demonstrate the extent of involved segment to
look for patency and quality of runoff vessels.
diagnosis
PHYSICAL EXAMINATION:
Diagnosing a popliteal aneurysm can be difficult. A deep vein
thrombosis(DVT) or a Baker’s cyst can appear similar, so ruling
these conditions out is helpful.
The provider will examine the back of knee to see and feel the
enlarged artery there
Tenderness
Changes in sin color or temperature on back of lower leg
IMAGING TECHNIQUES:
These tests include:
• Duplex ultrasound
• Computed tomography angiography(CTA)
• Magnetic resonance angiography(MRA)
• Digital subtraction angiography
COMPLICATIONS
Complications of popliteal artery aneurysm
include blood clots. Blood clots can cause severe
lack of blood flow in lower leg.
Thrombosis can cause severe acute ischemia of
the lower limb (incidence: 40%)
Embolisation causes ischemic ulceration of
limb
Rupture causes pain and haematoma
Compression on the popliteal vein causes pain, tendersness
and swelling on the leg.
Compression on the lateral peroneal nerve causing foot
drop, due to paralysis of the peronei and the extensors of
the foot
RISK FACTORS
Popliteal artery aneurysm often occurs in men with abdominal aorta
aneurysm(AAA). It is a swelling of the wall of the body’s main artery aorta. Anyon
who are diagnosed with popliteal artery aneurysm should be screened for AAA.
Other risk factors include:
Growing older.
High blood pressure.
Narrowing of a heart valve.
Having three or more aneurysms anywhere in the body.
TREATMENT
Treatment of popliteal artery aneurysm depends on:
The size of the aneurysm
The symptoms
Your age and overall health
Treatment may include
Regular health checkups: You’ll have frequent checkups and
ultrasounds tests to check the aneurysm, particularly if the aneurysm is
small
Medicine: Aspirin or another blood thinner is usually prescribed for
people with popliteal artery aneurysm. Medicines may need to be
given through a vein. Blood pressure and cholesterol medicine may
be given if you have symptoms of heart disease
Surgery: Open surgery to repair the damaged artery is generally
recommended for any sized popliteal artery aneurysm that’s causing
symptoms. Surgery is usually done for popliteal artery that’s 0.8 or
larger. Sometimes, a less invative procedures called endovascular
repair may be done. During this treatment, a stent is placed inside the
popliteal artery to it open
PREVENTION
Smoking and high blood pressure increases the risk of blood
vessel problems that can lead to popliteal artery and other
aneurysms. Following a heart healthy life-style can prevent heart
diseases.
Do not smoke.
Eat nutritious food.
Get regular exercise.
Thank
you...

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Popliteal

Popliteal aneurysm is an irregular bulge

It is the continuation of femoral artery. It begins at adductor hiatus, crosses

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