title: [Popliteal vein entrapment in patients with unspecific symptoms of venous insufficiency].
abstract: Popliteal vein entrapment must be taken in consideration in patients with symptoms of venous insufficiency. Leg edema, swelling, calf pain, and muscle cramps are all unspecific signs. Most patients thus far have presented with deep vein thrombosis or chronic venous insufficiency. Popliteal entrapment syndrome must be taken into account in younger patients in whom predisposing factors are absent and chronic calf swelling is notable. Diagnosis is easily confirmed by noninvasive stress testing with duplex imaging and pencil Doppler probe placed over the posterior tibial artery. Additionally, digital subtraction angiography with the foot in neutral and dorsi plantarflexion is recommended for arterial entrapment. Surgery is advisable for treatment and can be done without significant morbidity. In asymptomatic patients, we suggest using the term "popliteal vein entrapment phenomenon." We describe different etiologies of popliteal vein entrapment in three cases and present a review of the literature.
authors.affiliation: Gefässchirurgie der Klinik und Poliklinik für Chirurgie der Universität Regensburg.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pfister
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Töpel
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Steinbauer
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stehr
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Kasprzak
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000150:complications; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004487:Edema / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007594:Joint Loose Bodies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D007717:Knee / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009120:Muscle Cramp / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D010690:Phlebography; D011152:Popliteal Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D011187:Posture; D012307:Risk Factors; D013710:Tendons / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology