Bilateral external iliac artery thrombosis due to endofibrosis in a 33-year-old female triathlete

Abstract

External iliac artery endofibrosis is a rare disease predominantly affecting young, elite male athletes. This case involves a 33-year-old female triathlete who presented initially with lower extremity claudication during training. After completing a triathlon 1 year later, the patient experienced acute-onset pain in both legs. Computed tomography angiography showed abrupt occlusion of the bilateral proximal external iliac arteries. The patient underwent a right and left external iliac artery reconstruction using the ipsilateral great saphenous vein and reported significant improvement of claudication symptoms. The case highlights a rare complication of acute bilateral arterial thrombosis.