Jornal Vascular Brasileiro
https://www.jvascbras.org/article/doi/10.1590/1677-5449.202200732
Jornal Vascular Brasileiro
Case Report

Acute pulmonary embolism as a complication in a young male patient with a left popliteal venous aneurysm

Embolia pulmonar aguda como complicação em paciente masculino jovem com aneurisma venoso poplíteo esquerdo

Emmanuel Contreras-Jiménez; Jose I. Martínez-Quesada; Montserrat W. Miranda-Ramirez; Javier E. Anaya-Ayala; Luis H. Arzola-Flores; Santiago Mier y Terán-Ellis; Cesar Cuen-Ojeda; Carlos A. Hinojosa

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Abstract

Abstract: Venous aneurysms are rare and have a prevalence of 0.1 to 0.2% in the reported series. Typically, patients do not present any symptoms, but are prone to develop deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and the most feared complication, pulmonary embolism (PE). We present the case of a previously healthy 36-year-old man who presented at the emergency department with tachycardia, dyspnea, and pleuritic pain. A thoracic computed tomography angiography (CTA) confirmed the diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism. He was treated with systemic thrombolysis and anticoagulation. In the further workup of the cause of the embolism, computed tomography revealed a fusiform dilation of the left popliteal vein measuring 3 by 3 centimeters (cm) with an incomplete filling defect because of thrombus presence. The patient underwent open surgical repair. At one month follow-up, he was asymptomatic, and an ultrasound revealed complete patency of the popliteal vein without dilatation or thrombus.

Keywords

popliteal vein, aneurysm, pulmonary embolism

Resumo

Resumo: Aneurismas venosos são raros, tendo uma prevalência de 0,1 a 0,2% nas séries relatadas. Os pacientes não costumam manifestar sintomas; entretanto, são propensos a desenvolver trombose venosa profunda e a complicação mais temida, embolia pulmonar. Apresentamos o caso de um homem de 36 anos previamente hígido que chegou ao serviço de emergência queixando-se de taquicardia, dispneia e dor pleurítica. Uma angiotomografia computadorizada confirmou o diagnóstico de embolia pulmonar aguda. O paciente foi tratado com trombólise sistêmica e anticoagulantes. Em exames posteriores para investigar a causa da embolia, uma tomografia computadorizada revelou dilatação fusiforme da veia poplítea esquerda medindo 3x3 cm, com enchimento incompleto devido à presença de um trombo. O paciente foi submetido a reparo cirúrgico aberto. No seguimento de 1 mês, ele estava assintomático, e uma ultrassonografia revelou a patência completa da veia poplítea, sem dilatação ou trombo.
 

Palavras-chave

veia poplítea, aneurisma, embolia pulmonar

References

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Submitted date:
12/12/2022

Accepted date:
03/16/2023

Sociedade Brasileira de Angiologia e Cirurgia Vascular (SBACV)"> Sociedade Brasileira de Angiologia e Cirurgia Vascular (SBACV)">
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