Antonino Cavallaro graduated with a degree in Medicine from Catania University, where he also obtained his post-graduate diploma in general surgery. He then spent a period as a visiting fellow at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, USA. In 1984 he was appointed as a Full Professor of Surgery at the University of Rome "Sapienza", and later Head of the Department of Surgery "P. Valdoni" and of the 1st Postgraduate Training in General Surgery. He is also an Honorary Professor of Complutense University, Madrid, Spain and an Honorary Consultant for the Military Hospital "Celio" in Rome. He is author of more than 500 journal articles and several books.

Presents a comprehensive review of the history, embryological basis, anatomical basis, pathology, diagnosis and treatment of popliteal aneurysms

Offers detailed information on common (atherosclerotic) and rare (non-atherosclerotic) popliteal artery aneurysms

Focuses on rare diseases that cause aneurysms of the popliteal artery

Part-1: History. A surgeon's journey through history up to the end of the XIX century.- Modern historical background.- Part-2: The Popliteal Artery: Embryology and Anatomy. The popliteal artery: embryology.- The popliteal artery: reminding normal and variant anatomy.- Persistence of the ischiadic artery.- Popliteal artery entrapment.- Part-3: Popliteal Aneurysms: Pathology. Surgical pathology.- Part-4: Atherosclerotic Popliteal Aneurysms: Clinical Aspects. Definition, prevalence, etiopathogenesis.- The "problem" of arteriomegaly.- Outline of patients with atherosclerotic popliteal aneurysm.- Clinical presentation. Part-5: Popliteal Aneurysms: Diagnosis. Diagnostic procedures. Part-6: Atherosclerotic Popliteal Aneurysms: Surgical Treatment. (with an appendix on sex and popliteal aneurysms). Operative indication, surgical approach and tactics.- Primary amputation. Endoaneurysmorrhaphy. Lumbar sympathectomy. The use of tourniquet.- Treatment with reestablishment of circulation.- Late sequelae of surgical treatment. Part-7: Atherosclerotic Popliteal Aneurysms: Endovascular Treatment. An up-to-date of popliteal artery anatomy, static and dynamic.- Home-made and early stent grafts.- The Hemobahn-Viabahn stent grafts.- Other stent grafts and hybrid procedures.- The current role of endografting.- Part-8: Non-Atherosclerotic Popliteal Aneurysms.. Behçet's disease.- Kawasaki's disease.- Neurofibromatosis.- Fibromuscular dysplasia.- Disorders of the connective tissue.- Klippel-Trénaunay syndrome, Parkes Weber syndrome.- HIV/AIDS.- Mycotic aneurysms.- Miscellaneous.