The Open Circulation & Vascular Journal

2010, 3 : 56-58
Published online 2010 April 07. DOI: 10.2174/1877382601003010056
Publisher ID: TOCVJ-3-56

Mistaken Identity of Popliteal Artery Pseudoaneurysm for Deep Vein Thrombosis: a Case Report

T.G. Rashid , Z. Andreou , M.J. Metcalfe , A.J. Marcus , K. Lotzof and R. le R Bird
Department of Vascular Surgery, Barnet General Hospital, UK.

ABSTRACT

Popliteal artery aneurysms are often incorrectly diagnosed and subsequently mismanaged with resultant preventable complications. We present a case of a swollen lower extremity clinically resembling a deep vein thrombosis (DVT), following tibial fracture fixation. It was treated as a DVT on the basis of ultrasound imaging at a different hospital. Subsequent imaging showed a popliteal artery pseudoaneurysm for which the patient required ‘acute’ surgical intervention. DVTs and popliteal artery aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms may coexist. We stress the importance of searching for them in patients with suspected DVT, despite an ultrasound scan (USS) which is negative or positive for thrombosis.

Keywords:

Popliteal artery aneurysm, pseudoaneurysm, false aneurysm, misdiagnosis, deep vein thrombosis.