Congenital arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) of the popliteal artery represent an exceptionally rare subset of peripheral vascular pathology. This report highlights the diagnosis, imaging workup, and endovascular management of a nontraumatic, idiopathic popliteal AVF in a patient with unremarkable medical history who presented with 18 months of left leg pain and swelling. Duplex imaging revealed a large, high-flow left popliteal AVF that was successfully excluded using overlapping stent grafts.
YingAAl-AsadyRVicarettiM.Endovascular treatment of a large iatrogenic popliteal arteriovenous fistula. J Vasc Surg Cases Innov Tech. 2020;6(1):129-132. doi:10.1016/j.jvscit.2019.10.010.
2.
BeecherSAlawyMElbakarATubassamM.Incidental discovery of a long standing arteriovenous fistula after thrombectomy for acute lower limb ischaemia. Int J Surg Case Rep. 2014;5(12):1031-1034. doi:10.1016/j.ijscr.2014.10.028.
3.
BIRNSTINGLM.Congenital arteriovenous fistula with increased limb growth. Proc R Soc Med. 1962;55(9):797-798. doi:10.1177/003591576205500910.
4.
Gómez-GalánSVelandia-SánchezASanabria-ArévaloLM, et al. Endovascular repair of a spontaneous popliteal arteriovenous fistula associated with a venous aneurysm. Vasc Endovascular Surg. 2022;56(5):501-504. doi:10.1177/15385744221077557.
5.
WillaertWIScheltingaMR.A case of a spontaneous popliteal arteriovenous fistula. Acta Chir Belg. 2007;107(2):208-210.
KalenderMBaysalANDagliMGokmengilH.Chronic leg swelling and palpitation as a late complication of post-traumatic arteriovenous fistula: a case report. Trauma Case Rep. 2016;2:16-20. doi:10.1016/j.tcr.2016.03.004.
9.
AnanthakrishnanGDeNunzioMBungayPPollockGFishwickGBoliaA.The occurrence of arterio-venous fistula during lower limb subintimal angioplasty: treatment and outcome. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg. 2006;32(6):675-679. doi:10.1016/j.ejvs.2006.07.004.
10.
MadaniHFarrantJChhayaN, et al. Peripheral limb vascular malformations: an update of appropriate imaging and treatment options of a challenging condition. Br J Radiol. 2015;88(1047):20140406. doi:10.1259/bjr.20140406.
11.
LeakeAESegalMAChaerRA, et al. Meta-analysis of open and endovascular repair of popliteal artery aneurysms. J Vasc Surg. 2017;65(1):246-256. doi:10.1016/j.jvs.2016.09.029.