title: [Bilateral aneurysms of the popliteal artery].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Popliteal artery aneurysms are the most common of peripheral arterial aneurysms. Popliteal aneurysms are bilateral in 42% of patients. Atherosclerosis and bacterial invasion of the arterial wall are the predominant etiologic factors of popliteal artery aneurysms.
  
  
  METHODS
  A male of 67 years old was referred to our institution for bilateral claudication and 150 m. free interval. The angiogram showed a partial occluded aneurysm of the right popliteal artery and a complete thrombosis of the left popliteal artery aneurysms. The left aneurysm was resected and a femoral popliteal by-pass was performed, using the inverted saphenous vein graft, associated with left lumbar sympathectomy. Six months later the contralateral aneurysm was excised and a Dacron femoro-popliteal by-pass graft was performed. Two years later Arteriographic and Doppler examination showed patent by-pass bilaterally.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Popliteal artery aneurysms can be a threaten for the lower limbs, because of thromboembolic phenomena and occasional rupture. Surgery is the best treatment before the appearance of an acute complication and a by-pass with an autogenous vein graft or a Dacron graft are the most common surgical procedures performed. Thrombolytic therapy offers good results where an acute complication appears.
authors.affiliation: Chirurgia Generale I, Divisione Clinicizzata di Chirurgia, Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università degli Studi G. D'Annunzio di Chieti.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ritucci
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Magnacca
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ipri
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Russo
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Leombruni
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Picardi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000783:Aneurysm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D000792:Angiography; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates; D011150:Popliteal Artery; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000637:transplantation; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates