A true posterior tibial artery aneurysm--a case report

Area of Science:

• Vascular Surgery
• Arterial Aneurysms
• Lower Extremity Vascular Disease

Background:

• Infrapopliteal artery aneurysms are uncommon, with true aneurysms of the posterior tibial artery being particularly rare.
• Etiology is often unclear, with trauma being common for false aneurysms, while true aneurysms may involve fibromuscular dysplasia, atherosclerosis, or inflammatory processes.

Observation:

• The natural history of these aneurysms suggests a higher risk of thrombosis and distal embolism compared to rupture.
• Surgical repair is challenging due to the small vessel size, often necessitating ligation.

Findings:

• This report details the first successful case of an atherosclerotic true aneurysm of the posterior tibial artery.
• The treatment involved aneurysmectomy and end-to-end direct reconstruction, achieving documented good long-term patency.

Implications:

• This case highlights a successful surgical approach for a rare vascular condition.
• It provides insights into the management of posterior tibial artery aneurysms, offering a potential alternative to ligation and improving blood flow restoration.