Development of pseudo-aneurysm of the popliteal artery usually results from trauma, infection, or iatrogenic causes after orthopedic operations. This is to our knowledge the first reported case in the world's literature of a delayed presentation of a large above-knee popliteal artery pseudo-aneurysm following a soccer football injury. The pseudo-aneurysm severely compressed the native artery, and open exploration with surgical vein-patch repair of the artery was chosen in preference to endovascular stent-graft in view of the compressive symptoms and large size of the chronic pseudo-aneurysm. This case highlights the importance of imaging such as duplex ultrasound, computed tomography, or magnetic resonance angiography if symptoms persist after sports injury.
Copyright 2010 Annals of Vascular Surgery Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.