Duplex Ultrasound Diagnosis of Traumatic Popliteal Pseudoaneurysm with Associated Arteriovenous Fistula after Total Knee Replacement

Abstract

A traumatic injury to the popliteal vasculature after orthopedic procedures is a known but uncommon entity in the vascular community and is estimated to occur from 0.08 to 0.5% in the literature comprising primarily case series and reports. Prompt recognition and appropriate management strategies are critical to an ultimate favorable outcome, preventing limb dysfunction and potentially limb loss. We describe the case of an elderly patient who developed calf swelling in the early postoperative period after total knee replacement, and the patient was found to have evidence of a popliteal arteriovenous disruption on duplex ultrasound. The use of ultrasound was paramount to the early diagnosis in this particular case.