title: Small popliteal artery aneurysms: important clinical consequences and contralateral survey in daily vascular surgery practice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The management of small popliteal artery aneurysms remains a matter of debate. The goal of this study was to gain additional knowledge about this pathology, focusing specifically on popliteal arteries smaller than 20 mm in diameter. Furthermore, the need for surveillance of the contralateral popliteal artery in patients with a small aneurysm was studied.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective follow-up study was conducted in 2 Dutch hospitals. From 1998 until 2011, data were collected through a search in the hospital patient databases. A small aneurysm (which was defined as a popliteal artery diameter of 10-20 mm) was identified and evaluated in 73 patients. These patients were monitored, whereby symptoms, complications, and survival were recorded. In addition, the contralateral popliteal artery was analyzed in all 73 patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 73 small aneurysms, 58% were asymptomatic, of which 24% developed an indication for surgical repair during follow-up. Furthermore, 32% were symptomatic and 11% completely thrombosed. Results of surgically treated aneurysms were good, with a secondary patency of 90% after a median follow-up of 30 months. A contralateral popliteal artery exceeding 10 mm was present in 49 patients (67%), of whom 59% had an indication for surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study found that small popliteal artery aneurysms show a considerable risk of becoming symptomatic. In all patients with a known popliteal artery aneurysm, investigation of the contralateral popliteal artery is advised.
authors: Department of Vascular Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands. j.e.p.vrijenhoek@umcutrecht.nl
authors: Joyce E P
authors: JE
authors: Vrijenhoek
authors: Albert J C
authors: AJ
authors: Mackaay
authors: Frans L
authors: FL
authors: Moll
mesh_terms: D000783:Aneurysm / Q000601:surgery*; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D011150:Popliteal Artery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome