Diagnosing a popliteal venous aneurysm in a primary care setting: A case report

Abstract

Introduction: Popliteal venous aneurysms are uncommon but potentially fatal vascular disorders. They can be symptomatic or asymptomatic, mimicking different conditions. Popliteal venous aneurysms are possible sources of embolism.

Lesser Saphenous Vein Aneurysm and Popliteal Vein Aneurysm: Report of Two Cases and Review of the Literature

“…They are seen in different age groups 5,8,16 , more often on the left lower limb 15 , bilateral occurrence is possible too 4,5 . Their most frequently used diagnostic test is venography, increasingly replaced by venous duplex imaging in recent years 15,17 . They usually have these following modes of presentation: asymptomatic with incidental finding, local extremity symptoms and/or pulmonary embolism.…”

An incidental detection of popliteal vein aneurysm during labeled leukocyte scintigraphy

“…[2] Color Doppler ultrasonography is the preferred non-invasive diagnostic tool in current practice due to its wide availability. [3] It allows measurement of the aneurysm as well as assessment of its morphology and detecting the presence of thrombus within. Color Doppler ultrasonography is used in follow-ups to assess the size and formation of thrombus.…”

External Jugular Vein Aneurysm Presenting as a Cervical Mass

“…Ultrasonography can easily differentiate between cystic and solid lesions, establish the origin of the lesion from adjacent structures, differentiate vascular from nonvascular lesions using colour Doppler imaging and depict the characteristic imaging features which will allow for a specific diagnosis. Cysts and laryngoceles can be easily differentiated from venous lesions, as there is neither flow on colour Doppler ultrasonography nor communication within the vascular system in such cases [ 6 , 18 ]. Among vascular lesions, arterial pseudoaneurysms and traumatic arteriovenous fistulas can be easily differentiated from venous aneurysms using Doppler ultrasonography by depicting the characteristic arterial or turbulent waveform and the communication with an artery or between arterial and venous segments, respectively [ 18 ].…”

“…Cysts and laryngoceles can be easily differentiated from venous lesions, as there is neither flow on colour Doppler ultrasonography nor communication within the vascular system in such cases [ 6 , 18 ]. Among vascular lesions, arterial pseudoaneurysms and traumatic arteriovenous fistulas can be easily differentiated from venous aneurysms using Doppler ultrasonography by depicting the characteristic arterial or turbulent waveform and the communication with an artery or between arterial and venous segments, respectively [ 18 ].…”

“…In our case the diagnosis was suggested from a rural primary care setting and subsequently confirmed by qualified radiologists. Nowadays, the use of portable US devices has made US increasingly available to physicians, allowing for the imaging work-up to be performed even in primary care establishments [ 18 ]. Thus, clinical awareness of the differential diagnosis together with US evaluation of a neck mass within primary care settings may trigger the interface between primary and secondary care and allow early diagnosis to improve diagnostic outcomes.…”