Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome: Report of a case and study of 18 cases in Japan

Abstract

A case of entrapment of the popliteal artery is reported in a 15 year old girl who was treated successfully by resection of a thrombosed segment of the artery and interposition of the autovein. Adson's test gave positive results in both arms, suggesting the coexistence of anomalies of either artery or muscle in the shoulder or the neck. Histologically, abnormal longitudinal muscle layers were observed both inside and outside the normally arranged circular muscle of the media. There have been 18 cases reported in the literature in Japan. Although embryologic disposition of the popliteal artery is much the same, the manifestation of symptoms is more apparent among the Japanese. The Japanese daily manner of living on straw matting without the use of chairs may be partly responsible.