title: Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome: diagnosis and management.
abstract: A variety of anatomical abnormalities may product an external compression of the popliteal artery, resulting in a thrombotic occlusion. Between 1983 and 1995, 9 patients presented a popliteal artery entrapment syndrome, bilateral in two cases. Ultrasonography, Angio-CT scan and MRI showed the abnormal structures and position of the popliteal artery on popliteal fossa. Arteriography detected an arterial compression in 6 limbs and occlusion in 4 limbs as well as an associated popliteal aneurysm in one patient and distal embolism in four. The abnormal medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle was resected in 8 limbs, while fibrous membranes were resected in 3 limbs. Autogenous vein replacement was performed in 4 cases of popliteal artery occlusion and following resection of a popliteal artery aneurysm in one case. All patients recovered. In the followup period, the occlusion of the arterial reconstruction occurred after 28 months in one patient, with a mild claudication. Noninvasive vascular imaging techniques may allow early diagnosis and management of PAES, avoiding popliteal arterial wall lesions and its occlusion, with a better outcome.
authors.affiliation: Cattedra di Chirurgia Vascolare, Universitià degli Studi Federico II, Napoli.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Porcellini
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Selvetella
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bernardo
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Del Viscovo
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Parisi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baldassarre
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000783:Aneurysm / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D000792:Angiography; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007383:Intermittent Claudication / Q000209:etiology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000002:abnormalities; D011150:Popliteal Artery; D013577:Syndrome; D013997:Time Factors