Korean J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg.  2013 Feb;46(1):76-79. 10.5090/kjtcs.2013.46.1.76.

Pulmonary Embolism Caused by Popliteal Venous Aneurysm

• Hong D
• Song SW

• KMID: 1427837
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5090/kjtcs.2013.46.1.76

Abstract

Venous aneurysms are uncommon in the lower limb and are more frequently found in the neck and thoracic and visceral veins. However, they have been reported to cause thrombosis, pulmonary thromboembolism, and other related complications. Popliteal venous aneurysms are often undetected because they are usually asymptomatic, but they may cause pulmonary thromboembolic events. We experienced a case of a 44-year-old man who was referred for recurrent pulmonary thromboembolism. He showed no other symptoms or signs except shortness of breath. A popliteal venous aneurysm was diagnosed incidentally because the examinations were performed to detect a deep vein thrombosis in relationship to the patient's history of pulmonary thromboembolism. We report a case of surgical treatment for a popliteal venous aneurysm that was complicated by pulmonary thromboembolism.

Keyword

Pulmonary embolism; Aneurysm; Popliteal vein

MeSH Terms

Aneurysm
Dyspnea
Lower Extremity
Neck
Popliteal Vein
Pulmonary Embolism
Thrombosis
Veins
Venous Thrombosis