Life-threatening pulmonary embolism associated with multiple venous aneurysms.

Abstract

Popliteal venous aneurysms (PVAs) are often reported as a cause of pulmonary embolism. Previous reports documented the association between a single PVA and pulmonary embolism. We experienced a rare case with multiple venous saccular and fusiform aneurysms resulting in a nearly fatal pulmonary embolism. Surgical ligation is usually considered the first-line treatment for PVAs. In our patient, however, we selected inferior vena cava filter implantation and anticoagulant therapy to avoid the phlegmasia cerulea dolens caused by ligation of multiple aneurysms in both legs. We report a patient with multiple venous aneurysms, including PVAs, causing a nearly fatal pulmonary embolism.