Popliteal artery entrapment presenting as acute limb ischemia: treatment with intra-arterial thrombolysis. Case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome (PAES) is a relatively rare condition, which occurs predominantly in active young adults who lack atherogenic risk factors. It has been rarely reported in patients under the age of 18 years. The most common presentation in the early stages is intermittent claudication; however, in the later stages of undiagnosed PAES, acute ischemia can occur as a result of complete arterial occlusion or embolism. We present a 14-year-old boy, who presented with acute limb ischemia which was managed with a multidisciplinary approach.