[3] Peripheral and Visceral Artery Aneurysms Flashcards
What is an aneurysm?
A persistent, abnormal dilation of an artery above 1.5x the normal diameter
What vessel is most commonly affected by aneurysms?
Abdominal aorta
What is the aetiology of peripheral and visceral aneurysm?
Largely unknown
What are the possible causes of peripheral and visceral aneurysms?
Trauma
Infection
Connective tissue disease
Inflammatory disease
Give an example of a connective tissue disease that can cause peripheral and visceral aneurysms
Marfans disease
Give an example of an inflammatory disease that can cause peripheral or visceral aneurysms
Takyasus aortitis
What are the risk factors for peripheral and visceral aneurysms?
Smoking
Hypertension
Hyperlipidaemia
Family history
What are the categories of presentations of peripheral and visceral aneurysms?
Asymptomatic (found incidentally)
Symptomatic, but not ruptured
Symptomatic secondary to rupture
How can peripheral or visceral aneurysms that are symptomatic secondary to a rupture be further classified?
Stable or unstable
How are peripheral and visceral aneurysms usually best investigated?
With CT angiography
Can MR angiography be used to investigate peripheral or visceral aneurysms?
Yes, it is a good alternative to CT
When in particular is MR angiography a good alternative to CT angiography in investigating peripheral or visceral aneurysms?
It has a reduced risk of kidney damage, so good in renal failure etc
When are US duplex scans useful in investigating peripheral and visceral aneurysms?
In detection and follow up
What is the limitation of US duplex scanning in peripheral and visceral aneurysms?
It is not helpful for planning treatment
What will management of peripheral and visceral aneurysms involve?
Either watchful waiting or surgical intervention
What are the options for surgical intervention in peripheral and visceral aneurysms?
Endovascular or open
What does the decision to wether to manage conservatively or surgically depend on?
The location and size, as well as associated symptoms
Where do peripheral artery aneurysms most commonly occur?
Popliteal artery
Femoral artery
What % of peripheral aneurysms are popliteal aneurysms?
70-80%
Why is active management advised for popliteal aneurysms?
Because they have a high risk of embolisation
How do popliteal aneurysms present?
Usually present symptomatically as either acute limb ischaemia or less commonly as intermittent claudication
Why can popliteal aneurysms cause acute limb ischaemia?
Due to aneurysm formation or distal emboli
When might popliteal aneurysm be found incidentally?
In patients being worked up for AAA or awaiting knee replacement
Is the rupture of popliteal artery aneurysms common?
No, it is rare
What will be found on clinical examination with popliteal artery aneurysms?
Pulsatile mass felt in the popliteal fossa
What are popliteal artery aneurysms often associated with?
Popliteal artery aneurysms in the other knee
Abdominal aortic aneurysms
What is the initial investigation for a popliteal artery aneurysm?
An ultrasound duplex scan
Why is a ultrasound duplex scan the first line investigation for a popliteal artery aneurysm?
As it will allow differentiation between other causes of popliteal fossa swelling
Looks for signs of aneurysm thrombosis
What other causes of popliteal swelling can be differentiated from popliteal aneurysms on Doppler ultrasound?
Bakers cyst
Lymphadenopathy
What further imaging may be done in popliteal artery aneurysms?
CT angiogram or MR angiogram
What is the use of CT angiogram or MR angiogram in popliteal artery aneurysms?
They allow good anatomical assessment of the aneurysm, which is useful for operative planning
Useful in the assessment of distal arteries to assess their patency