Popliteal Artery Entrapment Syndrome

Abstract

We conclude that physicians who encounter athletes with progressive lower leg pain should consider functional popliteal artery entrapment surgery, which can prevent the disease's progression. We discuss clinical symptoms of the syndrome, radiological and ultrasonographical findings, and diagnostic criteria. Early diagnosis is of great importance in order to avoid vascular complications, and aid in athletes' early rehabilitation.

Chronic Lower Leg Pain in Athletes

“…6,47 PAES is an uncommon overuse injury and is often confused with CECS and can even coexist with CECS. 56 A frequent cause of PAES is compression of the popliteal artery by surrounding musculotendinous structures as it exits the popliteal fossa; the most common variant involves an accessory medial head of the gastrocnemius passing posterior to the popliteal artery.…”

“…56 A frequent cause of PAES is compression of the popliteal artery by surrounding musculotendinous structures as it exits the popliteal fossa; the most common variant involves an accessory medial head of the gastrocnemius passing posterior to the popliteal artery. 6,13,20 Popliteal compression can also be caused by fibrous bands of the gastrocnemius or the popliteus muscle or an aberrant course of the popliteal artery. 20 PAES can also be functional, with vascular testing results often normal.…”

Functional popliteal artery entrapment syndrome: A poorly understood and often missed diagnosis that is frequently mistreated

“…[13][14][15] Although the incidence of positive entrapment studies varies from year to year, results were positive in an average of 23% of patients (range, 9%-30%) annually tested for entrapment in our series during the last decade. 16 Only 3.3% of all patients tested and 14% of all patients with a positive entrapment study had appropriate posterior calf symptoms and confirmatory MRI/MRA studies suggesting popliteal entrapment syndrome. The lower occurrence of FPAES in the more recent study period of 2000 to 2007 appears to be a random event and not related to a change in work up or treatment.…”

Tratamiento quirúrgico del síndrome de atrapamiento de arteria poplítea: nuestra experiencia

“…En cuanto a las pruebas de imagen, se ha experimentado una notable evolución en los últimos 15 años en cuanto a sus indicaciones desde el eco-Doppler, la angiografía, la TC y la RM. En efecto, las imágenes de RM son cada vez más reconocidas como las que mejor prueban la relación anormal entre la arteria poplítea y las estructuras musculotendinosas circundantes [14][15][16] . Esta técnica ha demostrado ser superior al eco-doppler y la TC, ya que obtiene resultados similares a los de la arteriografía con sustracción digital para defi nir la alteración en el SAAP.…”