Pseudoaneurysm of the popliteal artery following arthroscopic meniscectomyin a child

Arterial injuries following arthroscopic procedures are extremely rare, but may have dramatic consequences without early diagnosis and appropriate tre atment. We report a case of popliteal artery pseudoaneurysma following arth roscopic meniscectomy in a child. Noninvasive diagnostic workup included Do ppler flow color imaging and computed tomography with contrast and 3D worku p. The arterial lesion was repaired surgically by an posterior approach usi ng a vein patch plasty. The popliteal artery is in close relationship to th e posterior capsule of the knee joint. During knee flexion the vessel is po sitioned forward and placed even closer to the horn of the lateral meniscus . For this reason arthroscopic surgical manipulation in the posterior aspec ts of the knee joint must be performed under direct visualization. Indistin ct swelling in the popliteal fossa and calf following arthroscopic surgery should arouse suspicion of an arterial injury.