Popliteal venous aneurysms with or without pulmonary embolism

Abstract

Popliteal venous aneurysms are rare and are most often found in patients with pulmonary embolism suggesting that such aneurysms are thrombogenic. Only 16 cases have been found in the past and only a few of these patients were without thrombus or pulmonary embolism. In this paper three patients are presented of whom two showed signs of thrombus. Surgical resection was performed to prevent thrombosis with a successful result. The literature is reviewed and according to this and our own experience surgical resection under cover of anti-coagulation is recommended. Our surgical technique is presented.