Anatomic variations of the popliteal artery branches in present Spaniard population

Abstract

The popliteal region presents a wide range of vascular anomalies. The correct diagnosis of these anatomical variations plays a key role in success of diverse surgical procedures. In this context, the aim of our study was to investigate the prevalence of the anatomic patterns of the popliteal artery branches in a sample of present Spaniard population. This is a retrospective single-center study. 1633 (97.72%) computed tomography angiography images of the popliteal artery branches were studied from a total sample of 840 Spaniard subjects that underwent a computed tomography angiography study, 695 males (82.73%) and 145 women (17.26%), aged between 18 and 97 years. The applied statistics were multivariate models for repeated measures, Student’s t-test, and Pearson’s chi-square test. Our results show that the Kim’s et al. (1989) IA (“normal” pattern) was observed in 1507 limbs (92.28%), while the IB and IC were observed in 24 (1.46%) and 6 (0.36%) limbs respectively. The IIA-1 and IIA-2 patterns were observed in 19 (1.16%) and 27 (1.65%) subjects, while the IIB and IIC in 15 (0.91%) and 1 (0.06%) subjects. Finally, the IIIA, IIIB, IIIC patterns were observed in 24 (1.46%), 5 (0.30%) and 5 (0.30%) subjects respectively. There were no significant differences between men and women, nor between the right and left limbs. In conclusion, approximately 8% of Spaniard subjects present branching anatomic patterns of the popliteal artery different of the normal IA pattern, thus it should be taken into account in clinical practice.