Bilateral popliteal entrapment syndrome associated with plantar flexion of a phenomenon (original) (raw)

Surgical Treatment for Popliteal Artery Entrapment Syndrome, a Common Cause of a rare Clinical Entity: Report of One Case

Abstract Context: Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome (PAES) is a non-atherosclerotic cause of claudication and acute ischemia of the legs in young individuals. Objective: To report on a case of popliteal artery entrapment that was treated surgically. Case report: The patient was a 46-year-old hypertensive male diver who had been experiencing pain in his right leg for around six months, which worsened upon exertion. Physical examination showed absence of posterior tibial pulse and dorsal pulse in the right foot. Arterial duplex scan and angiotomography showed a popliteal artery with a tortuous path that passed behind the medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle, where its lumen was compromised when the knee was extended. This case of PAES was classified as type 1 and the surgical treatment implemented consisted of arterial decompression through sectioning the medial bundle of the gastrocnemius muscle, combined with a popliteal-to-popliteal graft from the great saphenous vein (inverted). Conclusion: Popliteal artery entrapment is a rare syndrome, but it may affect physically active young adults and worsen their quality of life. If this disease is suspected, diagnostic evaluation and surgical treatment need to be performed, and this will probably avoid the risk of losing the limb in cases of irreversible vascular injury.

Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome

2010

Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome (PAES) is an uncommon cause of lower extremity exertional claudication due to external compression of vascular structures in the popliteal fossa. A developmental anomaly due to an aberrant relationship of the artery with the surrounding myofascial structures contributes to the vascular compromise. PAES presents in younger, athletic patients without atherosclerotic risk factors. Typical presentation of unilateral or bilateral, intermittent claudication in the feet and calves specifically after exercise and relieved by rest in a young person should prompt further evaluation. Early diagnosis and intervention is essential for preventing thromboembolic complication and in worst cases limb loss. Initial tests with Ankle Brachial indices or Doppler ultrasound with provocative maneuvers will prompt more definitive cross sectional imaging studies. CTA or MRA also with provocative maneuvers has a high sensitivity and specificity and will clinch the diagnosis. There are six subtypes based on the relationship of the vascular structure with surround myofascial structures. CTA and MRA can characterize the subtypes and guide surgical planning. Catheter directed thrombolysis may be attempted adjunctively to reduce surgical thrombectomy or resolve distal emboli; however, myotendinous decompression with or without vascular repair is the definitive treatment. Long term surgical outcomes are satisfactory when the distal circulation is preserved.

Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome: More common than previously recognized

Journal of Vascular Surgery, 1999

This report summarizes our experience with the popliteal entrapment syndrome in 88 limbs (48 patients) treated during a 10-year period. Method: The study cohort consisted of a retrospective analysis of those patients who were seen with symptoms of claudication or severe ischemia by a single surgical group and in whom unequivocal evidence of popliteal entrapment was shown either with angiography or at the time of operation. The cases were collected prospectively in a private vascular surgical practice. Results: Bilateral popliteal entrapment was found in 40 of the 48 patients. The mean age at the time of presentation was 35.0 years (SD, 11.6 years). Claudication was the most frequent presenting symptom (70 of 88 limbs). Types I, II, III, and IV popliteal entrapment were found in 58 limbs (15 arteries occluded), and 30 limbs (three occlusions) were seen with a "functional" popliteal artery entrapment (apparent absence of a developmental anatomic abnormality). Of the 18 limbs with severe ischemia and associated occlusion of the popliteal artery, 15 underwent bypass grafting with reversed saphenous vein grafts, all of which remained patent during the follow-up period (median followup, 4.2 years; range, 1 to 10 years). One popliteal artery occlusion that was treated with thrombectomy and vein patching occluded within 6 months and necessitated subsequent vein grafting. Two limbs with inoperable occluded popliteal arteries were not subjected to reconstruction (one necessitated amputation because of advanced ischemia, and the second had extensive thrombosis of the distal runoff). In two patients (four limbs), moderate presenting symptoms abated without surgery after the discontinuation of an extreme exercise program. The remaining limbs underwent surgical decompression (all popliteal arteries remained patent, with a median follow-up of 3.9 years). Conclusion: The popliteal entrapment syndrome is more prevalent than has formerly been appreciated. On the basis of observations made in this series and in the surgical literature, we advise surgical correction in all cases of types I, II, III, and IV entrapment at the time of diagnosis to avoid occlusion as a result of continued arterial wall degeneration. In contrast, decompression is only advised in those patients with "functional entrapment" if they have discrete and typical symptoms because up to 50% of the normal population may display transient popliteal artery compression with extremes of plantar flexion or dorsiflexion. On the basis of the severe histologic changes found in those popliteal arteries that had undergone occlusion at the time of presentation, it is advised that the popliteal artery should be completely replaced, ideally with a vein graft, when significant degeneration or occlusion of the popliteal artery is noted at the time of operation.

A Case of Overlooked Popliteal Artery Entrapment Syndrome

Cureus, 2019

Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome (PAES) is an uncommon cause of lower extremity claudication that is often overlooked. It most commonly occurs in young athletes without risk factors for peripheral vascular disease. We present a case of a 47-year-old man who went undiagnosed for over 10 years despite multiple orthopedic, chiropractic, and neurosurgery consults. A definitive diagnosis of PAES was confirmed in the catheterization lab by angiography. The patient underwent popliteal artery bypass surgery and his symptoms completely resolved. PAES must be considered in the differential diagnosis of lower extremity pain, especially in younger patients.

Popliteal Artery Entrapment Syndrome: 3 Unusual Features in the Same Patient

EJVES Extra, 2007

Introduction. Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome, although uncommon, usually affects young men under 50 years old. Report. We describe the case of a 56 years old woman with acute right limb ischemia due to popliteal and distal arteries thrombosis. She had no history of leg pain and no cardio-vascular risk factor. Diagnosis of popliteal artery entrapment syndrome was made after successful thrombolysis. Treatment was completed surgically. Discussion. Regarding age, sex and clinical manifestation, our patient put together three uncommon features of popliteal artery entrapment syndrome. This diagnosis should be considered even in patients over 50 without any cardiovascular risk factor presenting with subacute or acute limb ischemia.

Case Reports: Popliteal Artery Entrapment Syndrome: Diagnosis and Management, with Report of Three Cases

Texas Heart Institute …, 2000

Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome is an important albeit infrequent cause of serious disability among young adults and athletes with anomalous anatomic relationships between the popliteal artery and surrounding musculotendinous structures. We report our experience with 3 patients, in whom we used duplex ultrasonography, computed tomography, digital subtraction angiography, and conventional arteriography to diagnose popliteal artery entrapment and to grade the severity of dynamic circulatory insufficiency and arterial damage.We used a posterior surgical approach to give the best view of the anatomic structures compressing the popliteal artery. In 2 patients, in whom compression had not yet damaged the arterial wall, operative decompression of the artery by resection of the aberrant muscle was sufficient. In the 3rd patient, operative reconstruction of an occluded segment with autologous vein graft was necessary, in addition to decompression of the vessel and resection of aberrant muscle. The result in each case was complete recovery, with absence of symptoms and with patency verified by Doppler examination. We conclude that clinicians who encounter young patients with progressive lower-limb arterial insufficiency should be aware of the possibility of popliteal artery entrapment. Early diagnosis through a combined approach (careful physical examination and history-taking, duplex ultrasonography, computerized tomography, and angiography) is necessary for exact diagnosis. The treatment of choice is the surgical creation of normal anatomy within the popliteal fossa.

Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome presenting with acute limb ischaemia: a case report

Case Reports in Medicine, 2010

Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome (PAES) is a relatively rare condition that occurs in young patients as a result of anomalous anatomic relationships between the popliteal artery and the surrounding musculotendinous structures. Patients usually lack atherogenic risk factors and most commonly present with intermittent claudication in the early stages. In the later stages of undiagnosed PAES, acute ischaemia can occur as a result of complete arterial occlusion or embolism. Hence, early diagnosis and surgical release of the entrapment is crucial for good operative outcome and to prevent limb loss.

What Should Be the First Treatment of Popliteal Artery Entrapment Syndrome

Annals of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, 2014

Introduction: Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome (PAES) is the rare congenital abnormality. It is a threat to the lower extremity due to ischemia in young adults. Case Report: A 32-year-old health worker (medical doctor) applied to our clinic with a complaint of lower extremity pain, paleness, and coldness, post-exercise. He did not have any complaint to make him think as ischemia. Peripheral arterial angiography was applied, but the main diagnosis was given by magnetic resonance imaging angiography. Medical thrombolytic treatment, femoral embolectomy and then tendon resection, approached posteriorly, were applied to the popliteal region. Discussion: Repeated exterior microtraumas cause thickening in the arterial wall, early atherosclerosis, thrombus and ischemia. To diagnose this entity is difficult. Treatment should be surgical, oriented to abolish the compression. Conclusion: In this case, we wanted to emphasize how quiet the progression of the PAES may be, and effacement of the compression is essential in the treatment. Femoral embolectomy does not have any aid to treatment.

Functional Popliteal Artery Entrapment Syndrome: An Approach to Diagnosis and Management

International Journal of Sports Medicine

Popliteal Artery Entrapment Syndrome (PAES) is an uncommon syndrome that predominantly affects young athletes. Functional PAES is a subtype of PAES without anatomic entrapment of the popliteal artery. Patients with functional PAES tend to be younger and more active than typical PAES patients. A number of differential diagnoses exist, the most common of which is chronic exertional compartment syndrome. There is no consensus regarding choice of investigation for these patients. However, exercise ankle-brachial indices and magnetic resonance imaging are less invasive alternatives to digital subtraction angiography. Patients with typical symptoms that are severe and repetitive should be considered for intervention. Surgical intervention consists of release of the popliteal artery, either via a posterior or medial approach. The Turnipseed procedure involves a medial approach with a concomitant release of the medial gastrocnemius and soleal fascia, the medial tibial attachments of the sol...