A Strange "Collection" after Surgery for an Aneurysm of the Popliteal Artery

Ann Vasc Surg. 2017 Oct:44:416.e9-416.e14. doi: 10.1016/j.avsg.2017.05.022. Epub 2017 May 24.

Abstract

The popliteal fossa is the site of several diseases that may be similar in the clinical setting but very different in etiology, treatment, and prognosis. The contemporary presentation of more than one of these conditions is a rare though potentially fatal combination that may lead to a delay in the diagnosis and therapeutic approach. In this report, we describe the case of a patient who presented at our Vascular Department for persistent pain and severe swelling of the right popliteal fossa 8 months after the surgical treatment of a symptomatic popliteal aneurysm by mean of a Dacron prosthetic graft. With the suspect of the graft infection, as defined by angio-computer tomography and fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography, the patient underwent graft removal and revascularization with a biologic conduit. Subsequent surgical revisions for unjustified recurrent hematic collections were necessary without any significative clinical improvement. The histologic analysis of the removed tissue was consistent with a high-grade sarcoma, and the patient underwent above-the-knee amputation of the right limb.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Amputation, Surgical
  • Aneurysm / diagnostic imaging
  • Aneurysm / surgery*
  • Aortography / methods
  • Biopsy
  • Blood Vessel Prosthesis
  • Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / adverse effects*
  • Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / instrumentation
  • Computed Tomography Angiography
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Grading
  • Polyethylene Terephthalates
  • Popliteal Artery / diagnostic imaging
  • Popliteal Artery / surgery*
  • Positron-Emission Tomography
  • Prosthesis Design
  • Sarcoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Sarcoma / etiology
  • Sarcoma / pathology
  • Sarcoma / surgery
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Polyethylene Terephthalates