The popliteal artery (PA) is a lower extremity arterial vessel, a continuation of the superficial femoral artery. PA may be injured in the majority of total knee arthroplasty (TKA), as well as arthroscopic surgeries which may lead to acute ischemic injury. Our objective was analyzing morphometry of PA in relation to other structures both in flexion and extension of the knee, highlighting discrepancies in the PA\'s location in varying positions. Literature was reviewed in regards to morphological qualities, prevalence rates, and variants of PA were pooled. Five cadaveric and 14 radiological studies were included, totalling 1473 lower limbs. We found that PA, when nearing bone, was more predictable and fixed as seen in axial plane one and two centimeters distal to joint line at 0 degrees flexion. The distance between PA and posterior tibial cortex was estimated at 3.3 mm with 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.6-4.1 and 7.8 mm (95% CI 5.1-10.5) respectively. Once PA passed over and nearing the joint it had larger discrepancies with distance comparing the knee in 0 vs 90 degree flexion. Due to rise of TKA, arthroscopic surgeries and connected vascular complications PA has been investigated more frequently, and while majority of publications describes relationships between vessels of popliteal area and specific landmarks conducted with knee in extension, our study also implemented data regarding knee flexion thus encompassing the problem in a more dynamic manner. We believe this provides superior data for identification of PA, especially during knee surgery.

BACKGROUND: Popliteal artery aneurysms (PAA) were traditionally treated by open repair (OR). Endovascular repair (ER) has become a new treatment strategy. The aim of this systemic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate and compare the current outcomes of OR and ER in the emergency treatment of PAA.
METHODS: A systematic literature search of the PubMed/Medline database was carried out. Outcomes were 30-day mortality, morbidity, major amputation rate (30 days), major amputation rate (1 year), 1-year primary patency rate, 1-year secondary patency rate and 1-year survival. Additionally, we included clinical data of patients with popliteal aneurysms treated between 2009 and 2021 at the Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg.
RESULTS: We identified two cohort studies from 2014 and 2015 with a total of 199 patients that underwent emergent surgery (39 ER and 160 OR). We also included 26 patients from our institution. For emergency treatment, 30-day major amputation rates (18% vs 3%, Odds Ratio 5.82, 95% CI [1.75; 19.30], p = .004), 30-day mortality rates (10% vs 1%, Odds Ratio 5.57, 95% CI [1.01; 30.58], p = .05), 1-year major amputation rates (15% vs 6% Odds Ratio 3.61, 95% CI [1.18; 11.09], p = .02), 1-year loss of primary patency (54% vs 23%, Odds Ratio 3.19, 95% CI [0.91; 11.20], p = .07), and 1-year loss of secondary patency (44% vs 12%, Odds Ratio 6.91, 95% CI [3.01; 15.83], p < .05) were higher in the ER group when compared to the OR group.
CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular repair represents an alternative approach for the emergency treatment of PAA. Limited evidence from the available non-randomized studies shows unfavorable outcomes for patients undergoing ER. However, the results are prone to selection bias, and only randomized trials comparing ER to OR might reveal whether a subgroup of patients would benefit from ER as primary treatment of PAA in an emergency setting.

The popliteal artery is located in the popliteal fossa. In addition to its other branches, it divides into two terminal branches, the anterior and posterior tibial arteries, which are subject to numerous morphological variations. The purpose of this review is to compile several authors\' classifications of the patterns of terminal branching of the popliteal artery among adults and to describe the division among foetuses, as described in the current literature. Pathologies of the popliteal artery such as popliteal artery aneurysm and popliteal artery entrapment syndrome and methods for treating them, like open surgery and endovascular interventions are also discussed. Awareness of the morphological variations of the popliteal artery is important for radiologists and surgeons as it allows the risk of complications during surgery to be reduced.

BACKGROUND This case report describes a giant pseudoaneurysm that grew in size during the years following surgical treatment of a popliteal artery aneurysm, eventually causing a femoral fracture. Bone fractures secondary to vascular injuries are rarely described in the literature. CASE REPORT A 54-year-old man underwent surgical ligation and bypass for left popliteal artery aneurysm. Seven years later, he suffered a left distal femur pathologic fracture surrounded by a giant soft-tissue mass. The patient came to us with a diagnostic hypothesis of angiosarcoma from another hospital at imaging evaluation. After computed tomography angiography (CTA) and angio-magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), we made a diagnosis of femoral pathologic fracture caused by a giant pseudoaneurysm of a treated popliteal artery aneurysm refilled by an aberrant anterior tibial artery (IIA2, Kim classification). We performed excision of the mass and open reduction and internal fixation, with anatomic plate, of the fracture. Fracture healing and good functional outcome were observed at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS A possible complication of surgical treatment of popliteal artery aneurysms is refilling of the excluded aneurysm due to collateral blood flow or, such as in the present case, aberrant vessels. Therefore, the knowledge of anatomical variants of the vessels is important in surgery. Follow-up evaluation after surgery is advisable and a growing mass should be further investigated with an angio-CT scan. In case of a non-pulsating soft-tissue mass causing pathologic bone fracture, a biopsy is mandatory to exclude malignancy.

Spontaneous aneurysms are rare in the pediatric age group. Aneurysms of peripheral arteries are even rarer. The diagnosis should not be missed to prevent distal limb ischemia and life-threatening complications. Hence, timely surgery to save the affected limb is advised. There is an increasing number of reported cases of such aneurysms in the English scientific literature. We present a rare case of pediatric idiopathic popliteal artery aneurysm (PAA), with no known risk factors. This scientific writing is unique in its way of reporting an idiopathic aneurysm with spontaneous onset. However, we have successfully investigated and managed the patient considering the established guidelines on aneurysmal surgery.

UNASSIGNED: For many years, the reference treatment for popliteal artery aneurysms (PA) consists of surgical exclusion by proximal and distal ligation, combined with popliteopopliteal, femoropopliteal or femorotibial bypass. These aneurysms excluded, but left in situ, generally decrease in size by thrombosis. However, this is not always the case. We report on a patient with bilateral PAs. The right aneurysm was completely resected, with a normal follow-up. The left one was excluded by ligation and bypass, without resection, but continued to be perfused, and fistulised to the skin. The aneurysm continued to grow due to retrograde collateral circulation through the knee\'s articular arteries, corresponding to a \"type 2 endoleak.\" We therefore performed resection of the aneurysm and its fistulous path. The evolution was favourable and the patient has a satisfactory arterial condition since then. This extremely rare case prompted us to review PAs\' treatment options and explore the arterial aneurysms\' fistulising potential.
UNASSIGNED: A review of the literature was performed on the aneurysmal fistulas\' clinical manifestation, their pathophysiology, and the PAs\' surgical and endovascular treatment.
UNASSIGNED: Various studies demonstrated a superiority of resection treatments, with better results and fewer reinterventions than exclusion treatments alone.
UNASSIGNED: In view of this case, and as demonstrated by a literature search, we consider the surgical resection of PAs to be the optimal method for their management, rather than the surgical or endovascular exclusion treatment alone.

The popliteal artery aneurysm (AAP) is localized and irreversible walls of the popliteal artery dilation. It is rare pathology is the second most common location of true aneurysms after aortic, and the first location within the peripheral aneurysms. It is characterized by affecting mainly men at an average age of 65, whose manifestations are mainly ischemic, finishing lower limb amputation in a frequency ranging as appropriate between 7 and 20 percent. Our goal is to make the presentation of a case of AAP with subacute arterial ischemia, along with a literature review of the topic.
the case of a 63 year old who consulted for lower limb pain 96 hours of evolution, with absence of pulses is presented a diagnosis of advanced subacute ischemia was performed resvascularizable not in the context of a clinically unstable patient. emergency amputation is decided. In dissecting the presence of PSA objective.
The AAP have an incidence of 0.1 to 1%, have variable clinical. Arteriography is the gold standard for diagnosis. The treatment of choice is surgical, presenting new therapeutic options. The anatomical variations of the branches of the PA are variable to consider. Aneurysms are most commonly associated with contralateral popliteal (57.1%).
We conclude that our conduct was appropriate considering the state of the patient.
El aneurisma de la arteria poplítea (AAP) es la dilatación localizada e irreversible de las paredes de la Arteria Poplítea. Es patología poco frecuente, constituye la segunda ubicación más frecuente de aneurismas verdaderos luego de los aórticos, y la primera ubicación dentro de los aneurismas periféricos. Se caracteriza por afectar a principalmente a hombres a una edad promedio de 65 años, cuyas manifestaciones son principalmente de origen isquémico, acabando en amputación del miembro inferior en una frecuencia que oscila según los casos entre un 7 y un 20 por ciento. Nuestro objetivo es realizar la presentación de un caso de AAP con isquemia arterial subaguda, junto con una actualización bibliográfica del tema.
Se presenta el caso de un paciente de 63 años de edad quien consultó por dolor de miembro inferior 96 horas de evolución, con ausencia de pulsos. Se realizó el diagnóstico de isquemia subaguda evolucionada, no resvascularizable en el contexto de un paciente clínicamente inestable. Se decide amputación de urgencia. En la disección se objetiva la presencia de un AAP
Concluimos que nuestra conducta fue adecuada considerando el estado del paciente.
: Los AAP tienen una incidencia de entre el 0,1 al 1%, presentan clínica variable. La arteriografía es gold standard para su diagnóstico. El tratamiento de elección es quirúrgico, presentándose nuevas opciones terapéuticas. Las variaciones anatómicas de las ramas de la AP son una variable a considerar. Los aneurismas asociados con mayor frecuencia son los poplíteos contralaterales (57,1%).