ABSTRACT
The popliteal artery in disease and injury remains an enigma and an interesting challenge in both diagnosis and therapy. It is well documented that despite attempted repair of arteries and associated venous injury when indicated, trauma to the popliteal artery continues to be associated with a relatively high amputation rate when compared to other major extremity arterial injuries in most civilian and military experiences.[1,2]
During the past 20 years, two unusual popliteal arterial lesions have been identified. Initial case reports of adventitial cystic disease of the popliteal artery[3-74] and of popliteal artery entrapment syndrome [75-114] have been supplemented with extensive reviews of both entities.[115-123]
Although intermittent claudication is usually associated with arteriosclerotic occlusive disease involving lower extremity arteries in elderly males with a long history of smoking, this symptom also occurs in men in their middle forties with adventitial cystic disease of the popliteal artery and in relatively young athletic men with popliteal artery entrapment syndrome.
