[Bilateral aneurysms of the popliteal artery].
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.
Ritucci
V
V
Chirurgia Generale I, Divisione Clinicizzata di Chirurgia, Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università degli Studi G. D'Annunzio di Chieti.
Magnacca
F
F
Ipri
D
D
Russo
A
A
Leombruni
E
E
Picardi
N
N
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
D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates