Popliteal aneurysm

• Prevalence: most common peripheral aneurysm and second most common aneurysm after AAAs

• ♂ > ♀

• Mean age: 65 years

multifactorial (i.e., inflammation, immune, genetic, and mechanical factors)

• Usually asymptomatic mass in the popliteal fossa (50% are bilateral)

• If symptomatic

  • Knee pain

  • Acute limb ischemia → 6 Ps

  • Chronic limb ischemia

• Doppler ultrasonography (best initial): excludes Baker's cyst; identifies thrombus and patency of vessel

• CT angiography: preoperative assessment

• Rupture

• Distal embolization: blue toe syndrome (small vessel occlusion caused by an embolus)

• Chronic thrombosis

• Anticoagulation (e.g., heparin)

• Surgery with venous bypass graft or surgical aneurysmal excision

  • Indication: symptomatic or ≥ 2 cm in diameter