Popliteal aneurysm presenting as acute thrombosis and ischemia in a middle-aged man with a history of Kawasaki disease

Abstract

Kawasaki disease is known to cause a vasculitis of small and medium-sized vessels, with subsequent aneurysm formation. Most of the severe manifestations of the disease occur as a result of coronary aneurysm formation. However, many other arteries have been documented to be involved. A case is presented of a middle-aged man with a history of Kawasaki disease who had an acute ischemic limb from a thrombosed popliteal aneurysm that formed as a result of the disease. This is the first known case report of Kawasaki disease resulting in delayed lower extremity ischemia. Typical findings of patients with Kawasaki disease are presented, along with a case report and review of the literature. A history of Kawasaki disease is an extremely rare but possible cause of peripheral aneurysms, even in middle-aged patients. (J Vasc Surg 1997;26:884-7.)