Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome

• Published in: Journal of cardiovascular surgery Vol. 55; no. 2 Suppl 1; pp. 225 - 237
• Main Authors: Lejay, A, Ohana, M, Lee, J T, Georg, Y, Delay, C, Lucereau, B, Thaveau, F, Gaertner, S, Chakfé, N
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Italy 01-04-2014
• Subjects: Age Factors; Arterial Occlusive Diseases - diagnosis; Arterial Occlusive Diseases - etiology; Arterial Occlusive Diseases - physiopathology; Arterial Occlusive Diseases - therapy; Constriction, Pathologic; Diagnostic Imaging - methods; Hemodynamics; Humans; Intermittent Claudication - diagnosis; Intermittent Claudication - etiology; Intermittent Claudication - physiopathology; Intermittent Claudication - therapy; Popliteal Artery - physiopathology; Predictive Value of Tests; Prognosis; Regional Blood Flow; Risk Factors
• ISSN: 1827-191X

Intermittent claudication is frequently encountered in vascular surgical practice in atherosclerotic patients. However, it may also be observed in a younger subset of patients without any cardiovascular risk factors and can represent a challenging diagnosis. Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome is rare but can cause intermittent claudication in young people. There is a lack of consensus about optimal strategies or diagnosis and management, particularly for variants such as functional popliteal entrapment. Since the first description in 1959, knowledge of the pathology and the underlying anatomic abnormalities was advanced through sporadic publications of case reports and small case series, but popliteal artery entrapment syndrome still remains a rare anatomic abnormality. It can be difficult to differentiate from other causes of lower limb pain in young patients, and diagnosis can be challenging. We propose to review clinical symptomatology, classification, radiological diagnosis and treatment of popliteal entrapment syndrome.