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Femoral and popliteal artery aneurysms

Case contributed by Vincent Tatco
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Pulsatile right inguinal and bilateral popliteal masses.

Patient Data

Age: 80 years
Gender: Female

Atherosclerotic disease of the abdominal aorta, bilateral iliofemoral arteries and distal branches is demonstrated. There are fusiform aneurysms involving the right common femoral artery and proximal half of the right superficial femoral artery, right popliteal artery, and left popliteal artery extending to the tibioperoneal trunk. Mural thrombus formations are seen within the aneurysms. 

Other findings:

  • right renal mass and complicated left renal cyst
  • multiple hypodense hepatic lesions possibly cysts
  • cholecystolithiases
  • compression deformities of the T12 and L2 vertebral bodies
  • degenerative osseous changes
Annotated image

Annotated MIP image of the opacified lumen of the left popliteal artery aneurysm demonstrating the "dog leg" sign. 

Author: Vincent Tatco

License: CC-NC-BY-SA

Case Discussion

This case demonstrates peripheral arterial aneurysms (right femoral and bilateral popliteal artery aneurysms) in an elderly female. Popliteal artery aneurysms are the most common peripheral arterial aneurysms. Approximately 50% of popliteal artery aneurysms are bilateral and about 34% are associated with femoral artery aneurysms 2. Mural thrombus within a popliteal artery aneurysm results to an irregular angulated lumen with a characteristic "dog leg" appearance

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