[Aneurysm of the deep veins of the legs. Apropos of a case involving a vein in the calf].

A fusiform venous aneurysm of a deep calf vein was discovered following pulmonary embolism occurring during laparotomy in a 59 year old woman. This lesion has especially been described at popliteal vein level and 25 cases were found in the literature. Analysis shows that the principal clinical manifestation is pulmonary embolism due to clot migration from the thrombosed aneurysmal pocket. Local signs are much rarer. Diagnosis depends on venography. Subsequent management of a venous aneurysm, discovered incidentally, remains unclear since the incidence of complications is unknown. Anticoagulant therapy is required in the presence of thrombotic complications. The general tendency is to combine a caval filter with resection of the aneurysm. The necessity for venous reconstruction following the latter remains debatable.