| Abstract [eng] |
Background: Knowledge of the anatomy and variations of the distal branches of the popliteal artery and genicular arteries is particularly important for interventional radiologists, orthopedic trauma surgeons, and other physicians performing procedures in the popliteal region. Aim: To determine the topographic variations and diameters of the popliteal artery branches and to compare the obtained results with data from the global literature. Methods: A total of 9 adult human cadavers injected with 10% formalin solution were dissected. Eighteen lower popliteal arteries were evaluated, including the genicular arteries arising from them and the distal branches of the popliteal artery: the anterior tibial artery, posterior tibial artery, and fibular artery. Identified variations were documented and photographed. Vessel diameters and distances were measured using a digital caliper and a centimeter tape. Data were collected in MS Excel, and statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS and R Commander. Results: The mean age of the subjects was 80.1 ± 9.6 years, ranging from 68 to 93 years (females: n = 7; males: n = 2). The most frequently identified genicular artery variation was Type III according to the Sighary et al. classification - n = 8 (47.06%). Less commonly found were Type IV - n = 3 (17.65%), Type I - n = 3 (17.65%), and Type V - n = 2 (11.76%) variations. One unclassified genicular artery variation was identified, which may have occurred due to a high origin of the anterior tibial artery. The mean genicular artery lumen diameters were as follows: SLGA - 1.97 ± 0.29 mm; SMGA - 2.15 ± 0.40 mm; MGA - 1.14 ± 0.31 mm; ILGA - 1.95 ± 0.37 mm; IMGA 1.94 ± 0.62 mm. Regarding the variations of the distal branches of the popliteal artery, the most commonly identified was Type I-A according to the Kim et al. classification - n = 16 (88.88%); Type II-A2 - n = 1 (5.56%) and Type II-B - n = 1 (5.56%) were also observed. The mean diameters of the popliteal artery and its distal branches were: PA — 8.24 ± 1.87 mm; ATA - 5.09 ± 0.75 mm; PTA proximal to the fibular artery bifurcation - 6.32 ± 1.27 mm; PTA distal to the fibular artery bifurcation - 4.22 ± 0.79 mm; FA - 4.42 ± 1.04 mm. Conclusions: Variations of the genicular arteries and distal popliteal branches are of considerable clinical significance. The most frequently identified genicular artery branching patterns according to the Sighary et al. classification were Types III, I, and IV. The most common distal popliteal branching variant was Type I according to the Kim et al. classification. |
