[Pseudophlebitic forms of popliteal cysts].

We report five observations of popliteal cysts responsible for clinical features of phlebitis of the calf. In each case, thrombosis of deep veins was outruled by phlebography. Clinical manifestations, which did not respond to efficiently dosed anticoagulant therapy, consistently resolved quickly after treatment of the cyst. Rheumatoid arthritis was the most frequent etiology. These observations induce us to look for a popliteal cyst in patients with signs of phlebitis. The negative phlebography rectifies the clinical diagnosis, thus avoiding prolonged anticoagulant therapy.