Popliteal Venous Aneurysm with Pulmonary Thromboembolism—A Case Report—

Abstract

A popliteal venous aneurysm is rare, but when found is often associated with pulmonary thromboembolism. The case of a 77-year-old man who was admitted to our hospital because of chest discomfort is presented. Echocardiography showed right heart overload, and contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed pulmonary thromboembolism and a right popliteal venous saccular aneurysm. A thrombus, approximately 30 mm in diameter, was also detected and appeared to be the cause of the pulmonary thromboembolism. After insertion of a temporary inferior vena cava filter, the patient underwent tangential aneurysmectomy with lateral venorrhaphy. On postoperative day 1, the popliteal vein was repaired with contralateral saphenous vein patches because of bleeding from the suture line. Today, 1 year after the operation, there has been no recurrence of either the pulmonary thromboembolism or the popliteal venous aneurysm. Because two-thirds of the popliteal venous aneurysms reported are saccular, tangential aneurysmectomy with lateral venorrhaphy is currently the most commonly performed procedure. In cases where it is difficult to complete resection of the diseased popliteal vein or to avoid venous constriction, vein patching should be used flexibly as an alternative reconstructive surgical procedure.