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Updated: May 4, 2026

Point-Of-Care Ultrasound Screening for Proximal Lower Extremity Deep Venous Thrombosis
Published on: February 10, 2023
Ischemic stroke due to paradoxical embolism arising from a popliteal vein aneurysm
Laurent Auboire1, Laura Palcau2, Elise Mackowiak2
1Department of Vascular Medicine, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Caen, Caen, France.
Abstract:
Popliteal vein aneurysm (PVA) is a very uncommon cause of stroke. We present the case of a 63-year-old, right-handed man who presented to the emergency department with transitory ischemic accident (left superior extremity regressive monoplegia). Complete etiologic work-up led to the discovery of both a patent foramen ovale associated with an septum interauricular aneurysm, and of a PVA without mural thrombus. The diagnosis of brain paradoxical embolism was retained. The unique potentially embolic cause was the presence of the PVA. We decided to treat the PVA surgically to avoid a further cerebral vascular episode. Although uncommon, venous etiology must be considered for stroke.
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