Value of color Doppler ultrasonography in diagnosing cystic adventitial disease of the popliteal artery

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the value of color Doppler ultrasonography in diagnosing cystic adventitial disease of the popliteal artery. Methods The ultrasonographic images of 12 patients with cystic adventitial disease of the popliteal artery confirmed by surgery and pathology were retrospectivly analyzed. The ultrasonographic features were summarized. Results The ultrasonographic images showed the location, number, size and the compression of popliteal artery. Cystic adventitial disease of the popliteal artery showed cystic masses within popliteal artery wall. The tunica media and tunica externa were separated. Slender separations could be found in some cysts. Color Doppler ultrasonography showed no blood flow inside the cysts. When the popliteal artery was compressed, the velocity of blood flow increased significantly. The affected popliteal artery diameter was less than that of the contralateral side [(2.858±1.256)mm vs (5.500±0.095)mm, t=7.531, P<0.01], the peak flow velocity of the affected popliteal artery was higher than that of the contralateral side [(213.750±119.464)cm/s vs (57.417±4.209)cm/s, t=4.465, P<0.01], the peak flow velocity of the affected posterior tibial artery was lower than that of the contralateral side [(32.417±14.569)cm/s vs (47.250±4.115)cm/s, t=4.318, P<0.01]. Conclusions Color Doppler ultrasonography is the preferred imaging method for diagnosis of cystic adventitial disease of the popliteal artery. Key words: Ultrasonography, Doppler, color; Popliteal artery; Cysts