Screening for popliteal aneurysms should not be a routine part of a community-based aneurysm screening program.
BACKGROUND
Several studies have found an increased incidence of peripheral aneurysms in patients with an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). The aim of this study was to determine whether screening for popliteal aneurysms should be part of an AAA screening programme.


METHODS
A community-based AAA screening programme.


METHODS
The diameters of the internal abdominal aorta and both popliteal arteries were assessed by B-Mode ultrasound in a subgroup of the screened population. An AAA was defined as an infrarenal aortic diameter > 29 mm. A popliteal aneurysm was defined as a popliteal diameter > 19 mm.


RESULTS
Information was available for 283 subjects, 112 subjects with a small AAA, and 171 subjects with a normal aorta. No popliteal aneurysms were found in the subjects with a normal aorta. Three popliteal aneurysms were found in patients with a small AAA. Scanning both popliteal arteries took an experienced sonographer on average three times as long as scanning for an AAA (5 vs 15 minutes).


CONCLUSIONS
Popliteal artery aneurysms are seen in less than 3% of men with a small AAA and not at all in men with a normal aortic diameter. It is therefore not cost effective to include screening for popliteal aneurysms in population screening for AAA.
Claridge
Martin
M
University Department of Vascular Surgery, Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, Birmingham, UK.
Hobbs
Simon
S
Quick
Clive
C
Adam
Donald
D
Bradbury
Andrew
A
Wilmink
Teun
T
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000191:economics*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D011150:Popliteal Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000191:economics; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology