Surgical treatment of infectious aneurysm of the popliteal artery. Description of a case caused by Campylobacter jejuni and a review of the literature

The authors describe a case of mycotic aneurysm of the popliteal artery secondary to Campylobacter jejuni-derived infectious endocarditis treated by excision and in situ femoro tibial venous bypass, and take the opportunity to review 14 literature cases of infectious aneurysm of popliteal artery. This diagnosis is most frequently evoked by the development in an infectious setting of a throbbing inflammatory mass in the popliteal fossa. Management is aimed at controlling the infection and insuring proper distal vascularization. Eradication of the infection rests with the excision of the aneurysm and adequate antibiotherapy for at least 6 weeks. Distal vascularization is best provided (2 cases) by extra-anatomical bypass. However, in situ bypassing (9) is possible provided apyrexia and negative blood cultures have been obtained by preoperative antibiotherapy. The material used must be a venous autograft, whenever possible.