Popliteal Artery Aneurysm

Disease Overview

Time taken to compute- 5.631 sec
diseasePopliteal Artery Aneurysm
summaryA popliteal artery aneurysm is a localized bulge or swelling in the popliteal artery, typically located behind the knee. It's usually caused by atherosclerosis, but other factors can play a role. Left untreated, it can lead to serious complications, including limb ischemia and potentially life-threatening events like a rupture.
namePopliteal Artery Aneurysm
typeVascular Disease
classificationPeripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
symptoms
1A pulsatile mass or swelling behind the knee.
2Leg pain, often cramping or aching, especially with activity (claudication).
3Numbness or tingling in the leg or foot.
4Weakness in the leg.
5Coolness of the affected leg.
6Changes in skin color, such as pallor or cyanosis.
7Decreased or absent pulses in the affected leg.
signs
1A palpable, pulsatile mass behind the knee.
2Decreased or absent peripheral pulses (e.g., dorsalis pedis, posterior tibial).
3Edema (swelling) of the leg.
4Skin changes (e.g., discoloration, trophic changes, ulcers).
5Neurological deficits (e.g., numbness, weakness) in the affected limb, if the aneurysm is large or compressing nerves.
causes
1Atherosclerosis (hardening and narrowing of the arteries, the most common cause).
2Trauma to the artery.
3Congenital defects in the artery wall.
4Infections (rare)
5Other vascular diseases (e.g., vasculitis)
detailed etiology pathogenesisAtherosclerosis is the dominant etiology. Fatty deposits (plaque) build up in the artery wall, weakening the vessel and causing it to bulge. Other causes may involve inflammatory processes, leading to weakening of the arterial wall. In some cases, the exact cause may remain unknown.
investigations
1Physical examination, including palpation of pulses and assessment of the popliteal area.
2Doppler ultrasound (the most common initial test to confirm presence and size).
3Angiography (arteriography) (more definitive imaging to assess the extent and location of the aneurysm and associated lesions).
4Computed tomography (CT) angiography.
5Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA).
treatment options
1Observation (for small, asymptomatic aneurysms).
2Endovascular interventions (stents or embolization devices to reinforce the vessel and prevent rupture).
3Surgical repair (open surgical procedure to repair the aneurysm).
4Management of any associated PAD to improve blood flow to the lower limb.
differentials
1Baker's cyst (a common fluid-filled cyst behind the knee, not pulsatile).
2Other types of peripheral vascular disease.
3Deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
4Muscle or soft tissue swelling
prevention
1Maintaining a healthy lifestyle by controlling blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar.
2Smoking cessation (tobacco use is a significant risk factor for atherosclerosis).
3Regular exercise and weight management.
prognosisDepends on the size and location of the aneurysm, presence of associated PAD, and promptness of treatment. Untreated aneurysms can rupture, leading to severe complications or death. With appropriate treatment, the prognosis is generally good, particularly when detected and managed early.
other important details
1Risk factors for popliteal artery aneurysms often overlap with cardiovascular risk factors.
2Regular monitoring is crucial, especially for individuals with risk factors.
3Large or rapidly enlarging aneurysms may require urgent intervention.

Search For Diseases,symptoms

Our extensive global database, comprising more than 10 million articles and references, includes a vast amount of information on pharmaceutical drugs and diseases from various sources like scientific papers, clinical trials, medical databases, and more. This provides comprehensive and reliable information.

Note: We use (Male, 25 years, 70 kg) for dose reference. Warning: Not a substitute for expert medical advice! MedAI is designed to assist doctors and paramedical staff, not replace them.

Most Frequent Searches

Reference Patient:(25 years,Male, 70KGs) *Not a medical advice

Get in Touch Now!

Contact Us

Phone

UK: +44 121 823 1220
USA: +1 628-300-0016

International carrier charges may apply*
Address

Punjab,India

Working Hours

Mon-Fri: 9am - 5pm