Bilateral popliteal artery occlusion in a young woman as a rare complication of systemic sclerosis: A case report

Abstract

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune rheumatic disorder characterized by vascular damage, sclerotic skin changes, and multi-system involvement of internal organs. Digital ischemic lesions, nailfold capillary abnormalities, and secondary Raynaud’s phenomenon are common manifestations of microvascular injuries. Recent findings have revealed that macrovascular involvement in SSc more prevalent than previously believed. There have been reports of large vessel involvement, such as the ulnar, femoral, carotid, renal, and pulmonary arteries. We report here a case of a young woman with progressive SSc who complained of lower limb pain, dysphagia secondary to esophageal dysfunction, and urinary incontinence.She had symptoms of Raynaud’s phenomenon, skin sclerosis, sclerodactyly, digital pitting ulcers,nailfoldcapillary abnormalities, and digital ischemia. On special examination, the anti-centromere antibody was detected. She developed bilateral popliteal artery occlusion as a complication of SSc.