Which of the following is true regarding popliteal artery aneurysm?

• A It most commonly presents with rupture and haemorrhagic shock
• B It occurs almost exclusively in women below 40 years
• C It is rarely bilateral and never associated with abdominal aortic aneurysm
• D It is the most common peripheral (non-aortic) arterial aneurysm ✓

Explanation

The popliteal artery is the most frequent site of peripheral aneurysm, accounting for about 70% of such cases. It is bilateral in roughly half of patients and coexists with an abdominal aortic aneurysm in a substantial proportion, so the whole arterial tree must be imaged. The classic danger is not rupture but thrombosis or distal embolisation producing acute or chronic limb ischaemia, which kills option A. Men over 60 years are the typical group, killing option B.

Reference: Bailey and Love's Short Practice of Surgery, 28th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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