الفهرس 
Introduction and aim of the workOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
The Popliteal Artery is a relatively short vascular segment but is affected by a unique set of pathologic conditions. These conditions include atherosclerosis, popliteal artery aneurysm (P.A.A.) , arterial embolus, trauma. The clinical manifestations, imaging appearances, and treatment options associated with these pathologic conditions differ significantly. Consequently, the radiologist should be familiar with these conditions to direct imaging for accurate diagnosis and treatment and to prevent loss of limb. Color Doppler Ultrasound (Color Duplex Imaging) is a widely available, relatively inexpensive, and completely safe, noninvasive (no radiation or nephrotoxic contrast agent) technique for vascular imaging compared with other imaging modalities.It can accurately determine the severity and location of vascular stenosis and differentiate stenosis from occlusion. The advantage of Color Doppler Ultrasound is that it provides information about blood flow as well as vessel morphology. In this study, We evaluated the role of Color Duplex Imaging (Color Doppler Ultrasound) in association with clinical examination to diagnose and specify the different diseases which may affect the popliteal artery. Our study included 76 ischemic lower limbs in 40 patients due to different popliteal artery diseases ; 36 popliteal arteries with atheroscelerosis, 12 popliteal arteries with thrombo embolism, 8 popliteal arteries with true aneurysm, 10 popliteal arteries exposed to trauma including 2 pseudo (false) aneurysms, 4 popliteal arteries diagnosed as burger’s disease and 6 popliteal arteries with vasculitis. Out of the 76 popliteal arteries included in this study, 70 were diagnosed by color duplex imaging alone, 6 popliteal arteries were diagnosed by C.T.A. due to some limitations of Color Doppler Sonography. In conclusion, Color Duplex Imaging is a strong powerful imaging tool in diagnosis of different popliteal artery diseases. We recommend evaluation of popliteal artery beginning by color duplex imaging as it is available, non invasive technique, also it is superior to other imaging tools in assessment of flow hemodynamics in addition to vessel morphology. Also, Color Doppler ultrasound is characterized by being non invasive rapid technique , especially at emergent cases of trauma. Other imaging modalities like C.T.A. is reserved as a problem solving in which color duplex imaging is difficult to perform.