title: Popliteal vasculature injuries in paediatric trauma patients.
abstract: Popliteal-artery injuries in the paediatric-trauma patient are uncommon, difficult to diagnose and with prolonged ischaemia lead to substantial complications. We report three cases of popliteal-vasculature injury in paediatric-trauma patients with diverse mechanisms of injury: blunt trauma, penetrating injury and a Salter-Harris I fracture. We present a range of the significant sequelae that can result from paediatric popliteal-artery injury, both physically and psychologically. It is imperative that clinicians have a high index of suspicion when confronted with paediatric patients with trauma around the knee and that popliteal-vasculature injuries are diagnosed early. If insufficiencies are detected, further imaging should be considered, but surgical exploration should not be delayed in the presence of ischaemia.
authors: Child Health, University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, Hampshire, UK.
authors: S A
authors: SA
authors: Jones
authors: D C
authors: DC
authors: Roberts
authors: N M P
authors: NM
authors: Clarke
mesh_terms: D000792:Angiography; D001163:Arteriovenous Anastomosis; D002648:Child; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D011150:Popliteal Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*