Abstract
BackgroundDuplication of the superficial femoral artery (SFA) is an extremely rare anatomic variation, with few case studies reported. We report one case of the duplicated SFA, discovered by both ultrasonography (US) and computed tomography angiography (CTA). We also reviewed literatures concerning 6 cases of the duplicated SFA (including our present case), and summarized the clinical and imaging features of the anatomic variation.Case presentationA 55-year-old woman presented to our hospital with an intermittent cramp in the lateral aspect of the right leg. The patient underwent Doppler US examination on bilateral lower extremity arteries and veins to examine potential vascular abnormality. Incidentally, US discovered the duplicated left SFA and CTA of bilateral lower extremities revealed the anatomic orientation, course, length, diameter and distance of the duplicated left SFA. It was revealed to be divided into two trunks with similar luminal diameter and courses parallel. They reunited at distal thigh level. The findings of US and CTA examination did not correspond with the symptom of the patient, and the patient was discharged.ConclusionWe report a rare case of the duplicated SFA diagnosed with the combinations of US and CTA examination, which served as valuable imaging methods to detect and diagnose the vascular anatomic variation in lower extremities.
Highlights
Duplication of the superficial femoral artery (SFA) is an extremely rare anatomic variation, with few case studies reported
We report a rare case of the duplicated SFA diagnosed with the combinations of US and computed tomography angiography (CTA) examination, which served as valuable imaging methods to detect and diagnose the vascular anatomic variation in lower extremities
Few cases of the duplicated SFA have been reported with limited combinations of imaging modalities, such as computed tomography angiography (CTA), conventional angiography, ultrasonography (US), or magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) [2, 4–7]
Summary
The precise knowledge of vascular anatomy and its variations is crucial as the treatment with endovascular techniques has increased. Case presentation A 55-year-old woman presented to our hospital with nonspecific knee pain in the lateral aspect of the right leg She had no symptoms on the left leg. The left SFA was revealed to be divided into two trunks with similar luminal diameter and courses parallel (Fig. 1) The left SFA appeared to originate from left common femoral artery at the same level of the contralateral side It appeared to run as a single vessel, 4 cm long, split into two branches, medial and lateral ones. The luminal diameter of the medial one of the SFA was 5.3 mm, whereas that of lateral one was 4.4 mm, measured in each proximal portion (Fig. 1) Both traveled 14 cm distal along anterior side of the left superficial femoral vein. The findings of US and CTA examination did not correspond with the symptom of the patient, and the patient was discharged
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