Popliteal artery pseudoaneurysm successfully treated with amplatzer vascular plug

ABSTRACT

Popliteal artery pseudoaneurysm is uncommon. They usually result from penetrating or blunt trauma, arterial reconstructive surgery, invasive diagnostic or surgical orthopedic procedures. They can cause arterial thrombosis and limb ischeamia. We report a 53 year old Chinese gentleman with popliteal artery pseudoaneurysm who presented with right lower limb numbness and paralysis in toes extension. He gave a history of acupuncture treatment around the popliteal fossa of the affected limb. Clinical examination revealed a pulsatile mass in the popliteal fossa. Computed tomography angiography showed a large, 5 cm, pseudoaneurysm arising from the popliteal artery. A diagnostic angiogram was performed and revealed that there is no run off from the popliteal artery and the tibial vessels were reconstructed from collaterals. Endovascular intervention was carried out with an Amplatzer Vascular Plug to embolise the pseudoaneurysm. The pseudoaneurysm was successfully excluded and post-op follow up revealed no more pulsatile mass and improving lower limb function. To the best of our knowledge this is first reported case of pseudoaneurysm of the popliteal artery secondary to acupuncture in Malaysia.