A large idiopathic pseudoaneurysm of the popliteal artery: A case report

Abstract

Introduction. Pseudoaneurysm, also known as a false aneurysm, is a collection of blood which passes through individual layers of the blood vessel or through all layers, but it is retained in the surrounding soft tissues. Case Report. We report presents a 41-year-old patient with a large idiopathic pseudaneurysm of the second segment of the popliteal artery, referred by an orthopedist with a magnetic resonance image of the left leg. The patient's medical history showed that the pain started three weeks ago, the swelling in the left popliteal fossa about 6 months ago, and a large, painful, non-pulsatile tumefaction was found during the examination, resulting in a 90 degrees flexion contracture of the left knee. The magnetic resonance showed a pseudoaneurysm of the left popliteal artery, and an emergency computed tomography angiography was performed; it confirmed a pseudoaneurysm of the left leg second segment of the left popliteal artery without signs of obliterative diseases. The posterior approach and exposition of the popliteal artery was applied; autovenous graft interposition with a great saphenous vein of the right leg was done. Conclusion. Early diagnosis plays an important role in avoiding temporary and permanent complications. Arterial reconstruction with autovein grafting is a gold standard and a method of choice in the surgery of the pseudaneurysm of the popliteal artery. The temporary setting of occlusive Fogarty catheters reduces damage to the surrounding tissue, accelerates bleeding control, which together shortens the time of surgery.