Vascular surgery: popliteal aneurysm: practice question

A General Surgery question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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General Surgery · Vascular surgery: popliteal aneurysm

Sample item

A 64-year-old man has a pulsatile swelling in the left popliteal fossa. Ultrasound shows a 2.4 cm aneurysm with mural thrombus. Which is the most common serious complication of this lesion?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Thrombosis or distal embolisation causing acute limb ischaemia

Popliteal aneurysm is the commonest peripheral aneurysm and is bilateral in about half of patients, with a frequent coexisting abdominal aortic aneurysm. Unlike aortic aneurysms it seldom ruptures; mural thrombus embolises to the tibial vessels or the sac thromboses, threatening the limb. Repair is advised for a diameter of 2 cm or more or if thrombus is present.

Option by option

  • A. Compression of the tibial nerve

    Nerve compression can occur but is not the major complication.

  • B. Infective endocarditis of the sac

    Infection of the sac is rare.

  • C. Thrombosis or distal embolisation causing acute limb ischaemia (correct)

    Correct. Thromboembolic limb ischaemia is the leading cause of limb loss.

  • D. Rupture with massive haemorrhage

    Rupture is uncommon in popliteal aneurysms.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More General Surgery questions

Questions about this General Surgery question

What is the answer to this General Surgery question?

The best answer is C, Thrombosis or distal embolisation causing acute limb ischaemia. Popliteal aneurysm is the commonest peripheral aneurysm and is bilateral in about half of patients, with a frequent coexisting abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Why is "Compression of the tibial nerve" not the answer?

Nerve compression can occur but is not the major complication.

Why is "Infective endocarditis of the sac" not the answer?

Infection of the sac is rare.

Why is "Rupture with massive haemorrhage" not the answer?

Rupture is uncommon in popliteal aneurysms.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Vascular surgery: popliteal aneurysm in General Surgery. Unlike aortic aneurysms it seldom ruptures; mural thrombus embolises to the tibial vessels or the sac thromboses, threatening the limb. Repair is advised for a diameter of 2 cm or more or if thrombus is present.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Vascular surgery: popliteal aneurysm?

Learn classic signs and eponyms alongside what they diagnose. Then use the flashcards and the other General Surgery questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.