Popliteal venous aneurysm--a systematic review.
BACKGROUND
Popliteal vein aneurysm is a rare but potentially problematic disease with a risk of pulmonary embolism.


METHODS
A systematic literature search was performed.


RESULTS
A total of 105 popliteal vein aneurysms were identified, with a slight female and left-sided preponderance. Dominating symptoms are caused by pulmonary embolism, followed by local symptoms with a palpable mass. In four patients arterial symptoms were reported. The most frequently used diagnostic test was phlebography, increasingly replaced by duplex ultrasonography in recent years. Because pulmonary embolism is a potential, it motivates surgical removal. In most cases excision and lateral suture is possible. Four fatal cases were reported. Unfortunately follow-up time and results are poorly documented.


CONCLUSIONS
Popliteal venous aneurysm is rare but should be considered as a local source of pulmonary embolism when no other explanation is found.
Department of Surgical Sciences, Section of Surgery, University Hospital, Uppsala, SE-751 85, Sweden. david.bergqvist@surgsci.uu.se
David
D
Bergqvist
Martin
M
Björck
Christer
C
Ljungman
D000783:Aneurysm / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D011152:Popliteal Vein; D012307:Risk Factors