Popliteal artery pseudoaneurysm following blunt trauma

Clinical History

The patient presented with a painful enlarging posterior thigh mass after blunt trauma.

Imaging Findings

The patient presented with a painful enlarging posterior thigh mass after blunt trauma. MR imaging and arteriography were performed. MRI demonstrated a large haematoma and a giant saccular flow void region. Angiography showed a large pseudoaneurysm.

Discussion

Popliteal artery pseudoaneurysms are not uncommon. They may result from penetrating or blunt trauma, arterial reconstructive surgery, invasive diagnostic or surgical orthopaedic procedures and neoplasia. Because pseudoaneurysms do not necessarily present with pulse deficits and may not be pulsatile, they may be clinically confused with mass lesions. In the current patient, angiograms showed a large pseudoaneurysm of the popliteal artery with compression of the true popliteal arterial lumen. The distal segment of the popliteal and trifurcation arteries remained patent. Noninvasive diagnostic modalities such as duplex ultrasound and magnetic resonance arteriography are both safe and accurate for early detection of popliteal artery pseudoaneurysms. Once diagnosed, standard vascular reconstruction should be performed to prevent potential complications.

Differential Diagnosis List

Final Diagnosis

Popliteal artery pseudoaneurysm following blunt trauma

URL:	https://www.eurorad.org/case/1560
DOI:	10.1594/EURORAD/CASE.1560
ISSN:	1563-4086