A Rare Case of Popliteal Venous Aneurysm

Abstract

We report a case of a 21-year-old man with a popliteal venous aneurysm of the left popliteal fossa, with local symptoms and pain during palpation. Early diagnosis is fundamental in order to prevent the thromboembolic events or other major complications. Duplex scanning, Computed Tomography scanning, and Magnetic Resonance imaging are considered to be important non-invasive diagnostic methods for the diagnosis of PVA. The Angio Computed Tomography acquisition confirmed a 36 mm × 17 mm oval mass in the left popliteal fossa continuous with the popliteal veins. This lesion had presented contrast enhancement only in delayed acquisition (180 sec) and so appeared to be a true venous aneurysm and no arterial. The PVA was repaired surgically via a posterior approach to the popliteal fossa. A 4 × 2 aneurysm was identified. In the same time open tangential aneurysmectomy and lateral vein reconstruction were realised. This case is interesting because the Angio Computed Tomography study, in delayed acquisition, has allowed a correct diagnostic assessment of PVA and the surgical treatment.

A Rare Presentation of Popliteal Vein Aneurysm: Case Report

“…Coffman et al reported a case with recurrent sharp and severe pain in the popliteal fossa which was later revealed to be due to PVA [17]. Fiori et al reported a case with local discomfort in the left popliteal fossa during daily activities and palpation [16]. In a meta-analysis knee pain and popliteal mass was reported as the clinical presentation secondary to PVA in 35% of cases [4].…”

Osteochondrolipoma Presenting as a Popliteal Cyst

“…Ultrasonography is a very useful imaging method to identify the nature of a cystic or solid mass, and arterial or venous origin, however sometimes it is not sufficient. Fiori et al 3) reported that a popliteal venous aneurysm in the popliteal fossa demonstrated only a mixed echogenicity mass, with no evidence of an arterial or venous nature, using color-Doppler ultrasonography. Tatari et al 7) reported a well-circumscribed mass, resembling a Baker's cyst, using ultrasonography; however, it was finally confirmed to be pigmented villonodular synovitis.…”

“… 2) Furthermore, some papers in the literature also report a vascular problem, namely popliteal artery and vein aneurysm, that also present as a popliteal mass. 3) Therefore, careful differential diagnosis of popliteal masses is needed because occasionally popliteal masses require surgical intervention.…”

Large Popliteal Vein Aneurysm: A Case Study

“…4,6 Most, however, present with pulmonary embolism (24%) or chronic venous disease (76% limb swelling, post thrombotic symptoms) but present as a popliteal mass, which is not uncommon (26%). 3,5,6…”