Common peroneal nerve palsy from an untreated popliteal pseudoaneurysm after penetrating injury

• Published in: Journal of vascular surgery 2007-02, Vol.45 (2), p.408-410
• Main Authors: Ersozlu, Salim, MD, Ozulku, Mehmet, MD, Yildirim, Erkan, MD, Tandogan, Reha, MD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abdomen; Adolescent; Aneurysm, False - diagnostic imaging; Aneurysm, False - etiology; Aneurysm, False - surgery; Biological and medical sciences; Gait Disorders, Neurologic - etiology; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Nerve Compression Syndromes - etiology; Peroneal Neuropathies - etiology; Popliteal Artery - diagnostic imaging; Popliteal Artery - injuries; Popliteal Artery - surgery; Radiography; Surgery; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Surgery of the digestive system; Traumas. Diseases due to physical agents; Vascular injuries: limbs, aorta, vena cava; Vascular surgery: aorta, extremities, vena cava. Surgery of the lymphatic vessels; Vascular Surgical Procedures; Wounds, Stab - complications
• ISSN: 0741-5214; 1097-6809
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jvs.2006.09.008

A 17-year-old boy presented with drop foot and loss of extension in his left knee after penetrating injury to the popliteal region. Color duplex ultrasonography and angiography revealed a popliteal artery pseudoaneurysm in the popliteal fossa. Electrodiagnostic tests demonstrated nearly total common peroneal nerve injury. The delay in diagnosis from the time of injury was 1 month. The pseudoaneurysm was repaired with primary suture through a medial incision. Epineurolysis of the common peroneal nerve was performed a week later through a posterolateral incision. Pain and knee contracture resolved after surgery. Drop foot recovered completely after 1 year.