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Popliteal Artery Aneurysm
A popliteal artery aneurysm is a bulging ( aneurysm) of the popliteal artery. A PAA is diagnosed when a focal dilation greater than 50% of the normal vessel diameter is found (the normal diameter of a popliteal artery is 0.7-1.1 cm). PAAs are the most common aneurysm of peripheral vasculature, accounting for 85% of all cases. PAAs are bilateral in some 50% of cases, and are often (40-50%) associated with an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Popliteal aneurysms are rarely symptomatic; they are typically discovered during routine physical examinations. The cause of these aneurysms is unknown, but they are more common in older people and men and occur in both legs about 50% of the time. Presentation PAAs are most often asymptomatic.Chronic symptoms are most often secondary to the mass effect exerted upon adjoining structures by the aneurysm (e.g. pain and paresthesias due to tibial nerve compression, calf swelling due to compression of the popliteal vein). Thrombosis within the aneu ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Aneurysm
An aneurysm is an outward bulging, likened to a bubble or balloon, caused by a localized, abnormal, weak spot on a blood vessel wall. Aneurysms may be a result of a hereditary condition or an acquired disease. Aneurysms can also be a nidus (starting point) for clot formation (thrombosis) and embolization. As an aneurysm increases in size, the risk of rupture, which leads to uncontrolled bleeding, increases. Although they may occur in any blood vessel, particularly lethal examples include aneurysms of the Circle of Willis in the brain, aortic aneurysms affecting the thoracic aorta, and abdominal aortic aneurysms. Aneurysms can arise in the heart itself following a heart attack, including both ventricular and atrial septal aneurysms. There are congenital atrial septal aneurysms, a rare heart defect. Etymology The word is from Greek: ἀνεύρυσμα, aneurysma, "dilation", from ἀνευρύνειν, aneurynein, "to dilate". Classification Aneurysms are classified by type, ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Acrocyanosis
Acrocyanosis is persistent blue or cyanotic discoloration of the extremities, most commonly occurring in the hands, although it also occurs in the feet and distal parts of face.Kurklinsky AK, Miller VM, Rooke TW. "Acrocyanosis: The Flying Dutchman." ''Vascular Medicine'' 2011 Aug;16(4):288-301Olin, J.W. (2004). Other peripheral arterial diseases. In L. Goldman & D. Ausiello (Eds.), ''Cecil Textbook of Medicine, 22nd Edition''. (Vol 1, pp. 475). Philadelphia: WB Saunders Creager, M.A. & Dzau, V.J. (2005). Vascular diseases of the extremities. In D.L. Kasper, A.S. Fauci, D.L. Longo, E. Braunwald, S.L. Hauser, & J.L Jameson (Eds.), ''Harrison's Prins of Internal Medicine'' (16th ed., pp. 1490). New York: McGraw-Hill (2006). Peripheral vascular disorders. In R.S. Porter, T.V. Jones, & M.H. Beer (Eds.), ''Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy'' (18th ed., ch. 212). New York: Wiley, John & Sons Although described over 100 years ago and not uncommon in practice, the nature of this phenom ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Varicose Veins
Varicose veins, also known as varicoses, are a medical condition in which superficial veins become enlarged and twisted. These veins typically develop in the legs, just under the skin. Varicose veins usually cause few symptoms. However, some individuals may experience fatigue or pain in the area. Complications can include bleeding or superficial thrombophlebitis. Varices in the scrotum are known as a varicocele, while those around the anus are known as hemorrhoids. Due to the various physical, social, and psychological effects of varicose veins, they can negatively affect one's quality of life. Varicose veins have no specific cause. Risk factors include obesity, lack of exercise, leg trauma, and family history of the condition. They also develop more commonly during pregnancy. Occasionally they result from chronic venous insufficiency. Underlying causes include weak or damaged valves in the veins. They are typically diagnosed by examination, including observation by ultrasound ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Lymphadenopathy
Lymphadenopathy or adenopathy is a disease of the lymph nodes, in which they are abnormal in size or consistency. Lymphadenopathy of an inflammatory type (the most common type) is lymphadenitis, producing swollen or enlarged lymph nodes. In clinical practice, the distinction between lymphadenopathy and lymphadenitis is rarely made and the words are usually treated as synonymous. Inflammation of the lymphatic vessels is known as lymphangitis. Infectious lymphadenitis affecting lymph nodes in the neck is often called scrofula. Lymphadenopathy is a common and nonspecific sign. Common causes include infections (from minor causes such as the common cold and post-vaccination swelling to serious ones such as HIV/AIDS), autoimmune diseases, and cancer. Lymphadenopathy is frequently idiopathic and self-limiting. Causes Lymph node enlargement is recognized as a common sign of infectious, autoimmune, or malignant disease. Examples may include: * Reactive: acute infection (''e.g.,'' ba ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Adventitial Cyst
The adventitia () is the outer layer of fibrous connective tissue surrounding an organ. The outer layer of connective tissue that surrounds an artery, or vein – the tunica externa, is also called the ''tunica adventitia''. To some degree, its role is complementary to that of the serosa, which also provides a layer of tissue surrounding an organ. In the abdomen, whether an organ is covered in adventitia or serosa depends upon whether it is peritoneal or retroperitoneal: * intraperitoneal organs are covered in serosa (a layer of mesothelium, the visceral peritoneum) * retroperitoneal organs are covered in ''adventitia'' ( loose connective tissue) In the gastrointestinal tract, the muscular layer is bounded in most cases by serosa. However, at the oral cavity, thoracic esophagus, ascending colon, descending colon and the rectum, the muscular layer is instead bounded by adventitia. The muscular layer of the duodenum is bounded by both tissue types. Generally, if it is a par ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Popliteal Cyst
A Baker's cyst, also known as a popliteal cyst, is a type of fluid collection behind the knee. Often there are no symptoms. If symptoms do occur these may include swelling and pain behind the knee, or knee stiffness. If the cyst breaks open, pain may significantly increase with swelling of the calf. Rarely complications such as deep vein thrombosis, peripheral neuropathy, ischemia, or compartment syndrome may occur. Risk factors include other knee problems such as osteoarthritis, meniscal tears, or rheumatoid arthritis. The underlying mechanism involves the flow of synovial fluid from the knee joint to the gastrocnemio-semimembranosus bursa, resulting in its expansion. The diagnosis may be confirmed with ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Treatment is initially with supportive care. If this is not effective aspiration and steroid injection or surgical removal may be carried out. Around 20% of people have a Baker's cyst. They occur most commonly in those 35 to 7 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Doppler Ultrasonography
Doppler ultrasonography is medical ultrasonography that employs the Doppler effect to perform imaging of the movement of tissues and body fluids (usually blood), and their relative velocity to the probe. By calculating the frequency shift of a particular sample volume, for example, flow in an artery or a jet of blood flow over a heart valve, its speed and direction can be determined and visualized. Duplex ultrasonography sometimes refers to Doppler ultrasonography or spectral Doppler ultrasonography. Doppler ultrasonography consists of two components: brightness mode (B-mode) showing anatomy of the organs, and Doppler mode (showing blood flow) superimposed on the B-mode. Meanwhile, spectral Doppler ultrasonography consists of three components: B-mode, Doppler mode, and spectral waveform displayed at the lower half of the image. Therefore, "duplex ultrasonography" is a misnomer for spectral Doppler ultrasonography, and more exact name should be "triplex ultrasonography". This ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Embolism
An embolism is the lodging of an embolus, a blockage-causing piece of material, inside a blood vessel. The embolus may be a blood clot (thrombus), a fat globule ( fat embolism), a bubble of air or other gas (gas embolism), amniotic fluid (amniotic fluid embolism), or foreign material. An embolism can cause partial or total blockage of blood flow in the affected vessel. Such a blockage (vascular occlusion) may affect a part of the body distant from the origin of the embolus. An embolism in which the embolus is a piece of thrombus is called a thromboembolism. An embolism is usually a pathological event, caused by illness or injury. Sometimes it is created intentionally for a therapeutic reason, such as to stop bleeding or to kill a cancerous tumor by stopping its blood supply. Such therapy is called embolization. Classification There are different types of embolism, some of which are listed below. Embolism can be classified based on where it enters the circulation, either in ar ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Embolization
Embolization refers to the passage and lodging of an embolus within the bloodstream. It may be of natural origin (pathological), in which sense it is also called embolism, for example a pulmonary embolism; or it may be artificially induced (therapeutic), as a hemostatic treatment for bleeding or as a treatment for some types of cancer by deliberately blocking blood vessels to starve the tumor cells. In the cancer management application, the embolus, besides blocking the blood supply to the tumor, also often includes an ingredient to attack the tumor chemically or with irradiation. When it bears a chemotherapy drug, the process is called chemoembolization. Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is the usual form. When the embolus bears a radiopharmaceutical for unsealed source radiotherapy, the process is called radioembolization or selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT). Uses Embolization involves the selective occlusion of blood vessels by purposely introducin ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Blue Toe Syndrome
Blue toe syndrome is a situation that may reflect atherothrombotic microembolism, causing transient focal ischaemia, occasionally with minor apparent tissue loss, but without diffuse forefoot ischemia. The development of blue or violaceous toes can also occur with trauma, cold-induced injury, disorders producing generalized cyanosis, decreased arterial flow, impaired venous outflow, and abnormal circulating blood. The terms "blue toe syndrome", "grey toe syndrome" and "purple toe syndrome" are sometimes used interchangeably. Studies may include echocardiography, thoracic and abdominal CT or MRI, peripheral arterial run off imaging studies, hypercoagulopathy labs, and interrogation of syndromes that lead to peripheral vascular pathology. See also * * Cholesterol embolism Cholesterol embolism occurs when cholesterol is released, usually from an atherosclerotic plaque, and travels as an embolus in the bloodstream to lodge (as an embolism) causing an obstruction in blood vessels furt ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Popliteal Artery
The popliteal artery is a deeply placed continuation of the femoral artery opening in the distal portion of the adductor magnus muscle. It courses through the popliteal fossa and ends at the lower border of the popliteus muscle, where it branches into the anterior tibial artery, anterior and Posterior tibial artery, posterior tibial arteries. The deepest (most anterior) structure in the fossa, the popliteal artery runs close to the joint capsule of the knee as it spans the Intercondylar fossa of femur, intercondylar fossa. Five genicular branches of the popliteal artery supply the capsule and ligaments of the knee joint. The genicular arteries are the superior lateral, superior medial, middle, inferior lateral, and inferior medial genicular arteries. They participate in the formation of the periarticular genicular anastomosis, a network of vessels surrounding the knee that provides collateral circulation capable of maintaining blood supply to the leg during full knee flexion, which ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Claudication
Claudication is a medical term usually referring to impairment in walking, or pain, discomfort, numbness, or tiredness in the legs that occurs during walking or standing and is relieved by rest. The perceived level of pain from claudication can be mild to extremely severe. Claudication is most common in the calves but it can also affect the feet, thighs, hips, buttocks, or arms. The word ''claudication'' comes from the Latin ''claudicare'' meaning 'to limp'. Claudication that appears after a short amount of walking may sometimes be described by US medical professionals by the number of typical city street blocks that the patient can walk before the onset of claudication. Thus, "one-block claudication" appears after walking one block, "two-block claudication" appears after walking two blocks, etc. The term ''block'' would be understood more exactly locally but is on the order of 100 metres. Types Intermittent vascular Intermittent vascular (or arterial) claudication (Latin: ' ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
