Korean J Leg Med.  2018 Aug;42(3):102-104. 10.7580/kjlm.2018.42.3.102.

Fatal Pulmonary Thromboembolism Caused by Popliteal Vein Aneurysm

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Pathology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
  • 2Medical Examiner's Office, National Forensic Service, Wonju, Korea. zzeva@korea.kr

Abstract

Popliteal venous aneurysms can be a cause of fatal pulmonary thromboembolism. We report a case of a 47-year-old woman who suddenly died of fatal pulmonary thromboembolism. Deep vein thrombosis was not observed, but a venous aneurysm with intraluminal thrombi formation was identified on the left popliteal vein. This case illustrates that venous aneurysms can be presented as fatal pulmonary thromboembolism, and that they should be considered as a rare cause of pulmonary thromboembolism.

Keyword

Aneurysm; Popliteal vein; Pulmonary embolism; Forensic pathology

MeSH Terms

Aneurysm*
Female
Forensic Pathology
Humans
Middle Aged
Popliteal Vein*
Pulmonary Embolism*
Venous Thrombosis

Figure

  • Fig. 1. Extensive thromboemboli are observed in the both right and left pulmonary arteries.

  • Fig. 2. Fusiform aneurysm with intraluminal thrombi formation (open) is observed in the left popliteal vein.


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