Popliteal Entrapment Research Articles

Popliteal Vein Entrapment as a Rare Form of Popliteal Entrapment Syndrome.

Popliteal entrapment syndrome (PES) describes a cluster of symptoms related to the compression of the neurovascular bundle in the popliteal fossa, most commonly involving the popliteal artery. In approximately 10-15% of the cases of popliteal entrapment syndrome, the popliteal vein is compressed. Symptoms of popliteal vein entrapment can mimic venous insufficiency or deep venous thrombosis, causing the diagnosis to be missed or delayed. Diagnosis of popliteal vein entrapment can be done with duplex imaging with flexion and extension maneuvers; however, venography is the gold standard for diagnosis. While popliteal vein entrapment is commonly associated with younger individuals, it may also be an underdiagnosed condition in older patients. We describe two cases of successful diagnosis and treatment of late-onset presentation of popliteal vein entrapment.

Anatomic popliteal entrapment syndrome with atypical presentation onset in a 17-year-old high school football player: a case report

Anatomic popliteal entrapment syndrome with atypical presentation onset in a 17-year-old high school football player: a case report

Contemporary outcomes of surgical decompression for functional popliteal entrapment syndrome: Presented at the 50th Annual Meeting of the New England Society for Vascular Surgery, Boston, MA, October 6-8, 2023.

Contemporary outcomes of surgical decompression for functional popliteal entrapment syndrome: Presented at the 50th Annual Meeting of the New England Society for Vascular Surgery, Boston, MA, October 6-8, 2023.

Venous Compressive Disorders

Venous compressive disorders are a heterogenous group of vascular syndromes characterized by extrinsic venous compression that can lead to complications of venous hypertension or venous thrombosis. Endovascular damage secondary to deep venous thrombosis (DVT) can result in post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS), a potentially debilitating condition that can be associated with significant morbidity in the pediatric population. Here we discuss 4 venous compressive disorders: iliac vein compression (May-Thurner syndrome [MTS]); subclavian vein compression at the venous thoracic inlet (Paget-Schroetter syndrome); left renal vein compression (nutcracker syndrome); and popliteal vein compression (popliteal entrapment syndrome) with a focus on clinical evaluation and diagnostic methods. Where endovascular therapy is appropriate, specific procedural considerations including procedure indications, equipment, procedural steps, technical challenges, complications, clinical follow-up and expected outcomes are discussed.

Delayed Diagnosis of Exercise Induced Compartment Syndrome After Treatment of Functional Popliteal Entrapment

Delayed Diagnosis of Exercise Induced Compartment Syndrome After Treatment of Functional Popliteal Entrapment

Contemporary outcomes of surgical decompression for functional popliteal entrapment syndrome

BackgroundFunctional popliteal entrapment syndrome (FPES) is an under-recognized source of leg pain caused by dynamic compression of the popliteal vessels by surrounding musculature in the absence of anatomic abnormality. Late recognition and difficulty capturing this entity across imaging modalities can lead to significant morbidity in an often young and active patient population. Surgical outcomes and optimal diagnostic strategies remain uncertain. MethodsWe performed a retrospective cohort study of all patients undergoing surgical decompression for FPES at an academic medical center between 2018 and 2022. Preoperative symptoms, patient characteristics, imaging, operative details, and follow-up were captured. The primary outcome was symptomatic improvement at last clinic visit. Secondary outcomes included symptomatic improvement at 6 months and postoperative complications. ResultsA total of 24 extremities (16 patients) were included. The mean ± standard deviation age was 23.3 ± 6.4 years and 75.0% of patients were female. The median symptom duration before decompression was 27 months (interquartile range, 10.7-74.6 months). Preoperative symptom severity in the affected extremity was as follows: 33.3% limited from peak exercise, 25% unable to exercise, and 41.7% with debilitating symptoms that affected activities of daily living. Preoperative imaging with provocative maneuvers included duplex ultrasound (87.5%), magnetic resonance angiography (100%), and digital subtraction angiography (100%). Using digital subtraction angiography as the gold standard, the sensitivity for detection of FPES was 85.7% for duplex examination and 58.3% for magnetic resonance angiography. The median follow-up was 451 days (interquartile range, 281-635 days). Most patients demonstrated durable improvement in the affected extremity, with 29.2% realizing complete resolution of symptoms and 37.5% reporting symptomatic improvement at last clinic visit for a total of 66.7%; 20.8% had initial improvement, but developed recurrent symptoms and were found to have elevated compartment pressures consistent with chronic exertional compartment syndrome and were treated with formal fasciotomy. Repeat decompression was required in one extremity (4.2%) owing to recurrent symptoms. Two patients (8.3%) had minimal or no improvement in their affected extremity and workup for the cause of continued discomfort was ongoing. ConclusionsDelays in diagnosis of FPES are common. Provocative maneuvers until replication of symptoms across multiple imaging modalities may be necessary to reliably identify the disease process. Surgical decompression improved or completely resolved symptoms in two-thirds of extremities. Treating physicians should maintain suspicion for comorbid chronic exertional compartment syndrome, especially if symptoms recur or persist after decompression.

Bilateral popliteal entrapment in a patient with Klinefelter syndrome

Bilateral popliteal entrapment in a patient with Klinefelter syndrome

Contemporary Outcomes of Surgical Decompression for Functional Popliteal Entrapment Syndrome

Contemporary Outcomes of Surgical Decompression for Functional Popliteal Entrapment Syndrome

The benefit of exercise oximetry in the diagnosis of functional popliteal entrapment syndrome

The benefit of exercise oximetry in the diagnosis of functional popliteal entrapment syndrome

Conservative management of popliteal entrapment syndrome

Angiología es una revista científica bimensual editada desde 1949. Está dedicada al estudio de las enfermedades vasculares, incluyendo todos los aspectos de la medicina vascular, el diagnóstico no invasivo, el tratamiento quirúrgico tradicional arterial y venoso, así como el mínimamente invasivo y/o endovascular.

Popliteal Vein Compression Syndrome: A Rare Pathologic Entity

Popliteal entrapment syndrome (PES) is caused by compression of the neurovascular bundle in the popliteal fossa. Most often PES results from arterial compression, and rarely from the popliteal vein (PV). Venous PES is commonly caused by anatomical variations of the medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle. Here, we describe a case of venous PES caused by the popliteus muscle (PM).

Popliteal Entrapment Syndrome: Diagnostic, Surgical Management, and Short-Term Results of a Ten-Year Experience

Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome (PAES) is a rare cause of lower limb claudication in young sportsperson without cardiovascular risk factor. We reported our diagnostic approach, surgical management, and short-term outcomes of this syndrome, over a 10-year period. Sportsperson with intermittent claudication systematically received color duplex ultrasonography with dynamic maneuvers in the sport medicine department. In case of PAES suspicion, diagnosis was confirmed by dynamic computed tomography or dynamic magnetic resonance angiography. Each patient was then evaluated by a vascular surgeon and surgery was performed. We retrospectively screened patients who underwent PAES surgery between 2010 and 2020 in the Department of Surgery in Angers University Hospital. Between January 2010 and December 2020, 38 patients with 67 symptomatic legs underwent surgery for PAES. Twenty three (60.5%) were men. The mean age at the time of surgery was 24.7 +/- 9years. Clinical presentation was bilateral in 30 patients (81.1%). Duplex ultrasound demonstrated severe stenosis or occlusion in 45 legs (77%). When performed, CT-scan demonstrated popliteal artery compression in all cases (100%). As per Whelan and Rich classification, 36 patients (94.7%) had type 6 PAES. There was no mortality or severe complication after surgery. Morbidity included 4 postoperative hematoma (6%) and 8 prolonged healing (13%). The mean time of follow-up was 2.3months +/- 1.2months. After surgery, D-scan showed no signs of remaining popliteal artery compression in 92.5% of the case. Twelve patients (33.3%) were able to resume sport, 18 (50%) partially, and 6 (16.6%) did not resume sport yet. We report a cohort of 38 patients who underwent surgery for PAES. Among them, 36 (94.7%) were functional PAES. Morbidity included 13% of prolonged healing. Two months follow-up demonstrated good results at dynamic D-scan without signs of remaining popliteal artery compression in 92.5% of the cases. These short-term results showed that one-third of patients were able to resume sport activity at an initial level.

Vascular compression syndromes: a pictorial review.

Vascular compression syndromes include a group of rare vascular changes due to extrinsic compression of veins or arteries by surrounding structures. These pathologies are often underestimated due to their rarity, clinicians’ poor level of knowledge, and the non-specificity of their symptoms. The best known are Eagle syndrome, thoracic outlet syndrome, nutcracker syndrome, May-Thurner syndrome, Dunbar syndrome, and popliteal entrapment syndrome. This work summarizes the main ultrasonographic characteristics, symptoms, and treatments of choice for these syndromes. Knowledge of these conditions’ characteristic signs is essential for the differential diagnosis. Failure to diagnose these rare diseases can expose patients to serious complications and risks to their health.

European Society for Vascular Surgery (ESVS) 2022 Clinical Practice Guidelines on the Management of Chronic Venous Disease of the Lower Limbs

Compared with the 2015 version of the guidelines on the management of chronic venous disease (CVD),1 the global structure of the document has been modified considerably in an attempt to make it more practical and user friendly. Special subsections on management strategy with accompanying flowcharts have been added to the different chapters.•An extensive chapter has been entirely dedicated to superficial venous incompetence. A new subsection on evidence supporting endovenous non-thermal ablation has been included. A new subsection on incompetence of perforating veins has been added, as well as a subsection on practical strategies for special anatomical presentations. The management of recurrent varicose veins is discussed at the end of this chapter.•Deep venous pathology is discussed in a separate chapter, with an emphasis on the increasing evidence in the field of managing iliofemoral and iliocaval obstruction. In addition, new topics in this chapter are the combination of superficial and deep venous problems, aneurysms of the deep veins and popliteal vein entrapment syndrome.•An entirely new chapter has been dedicated to the management of patients with venous leg ulcers.•A new chapter describes the management of patients with varicose veins, related to underlying pelvic venous disorders.•A new chapter considers special patient characteristics and their potential influence on management strategy.•Gaps in evidence and future perspectives are briefly discussed in a separate chapter.•A lay summary of the guidelines provides useful information for patients.

Cystic Adventitial Popliteal Disease: Personal Experience and Literature Review

Background: Cystic adventitial disease (CAD) primarily affects arteries and is described as a rare vascular disorder characterized by fluid accumulation in the adventitial layer of a vessel which may cause luminal narrowing or even complete occlusion. Nowadays different pathogenetic theories exist as well as different treatment solution. Case Report: We report two cases of cystic adventitial disease of the popliteal artery treated over the last 4 years in healthy men. Both experienced the sudden onset of intermittent calf claudication; one also presented blue toe syndrome. In both cases the diagnose was confirmed after open surgery and histological evaluation. Complete resection and autologous vein bypass were performed in one case; complete resection and direct end to end anastomosis in the others. Discussion: Cystic adventitial disease is a rare vascular disorder with different interesting theories on its aetiology. Treatment options include percutaneous ultrasound-guided aspiration, endovascular approaches and open surgical cyst excision with or without direct reconstruction. In our Institution, we faced two popliteal CAD cases; open surgery represented the treatment strategy for both: in the first case an autologous vein bypass was performed, while in the second case the artery contiguity was restored with an end-to-end anastomosis. Both patients experienced full relief of symptoms without any recurrence of the disease. Conclusion: Even if rare, popliteal artery CAD has to be suspected in young healthy patients who refer the sudden onset of acute or sub-acute symptoms related to peripheral arterial occlusive disease. Differential diagnose between popliteal entrapment syndrome and popliteal aneurysms is not always easy. When CAD is suspected or diagnosed a conventional surgical approach is recommended.

Cross-sectional imaging of popliteal artery entrapment syndrome

A 63-year-old asymptomatic man with unlimited exercise tolerance is investigated for suspected popliteal aneurysms, due to absent pedal pulses and prominent popliteal pulsations. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) shows occlusion of the left popliteal artery with geniculate collaterals surrounding the popliteal vein (A). The medial head of gastrocnemius separates the popliteal vein and the occluded (entrapped) popliteal artery. CT also shows entrapment of the right popliteal artery, due to extrinsic compression by the abnormally sited tendon of the medial head of gastrocnemius, which separates the artery and vein, mirroring the muscular anatomy on the left (B). A second 55-year-old man, normally walking 10-12 miles per day without restriction, presents with acute right leg claudication at 200 m. Contrast-enhanced CT demonstrates left popliteal artery stenosis with post-stenotic dilatation and right distal popliteal embolic occlusion due to a popliteal aneurysm with thrombus secondary to bilateral popliteal entrapment syndrome (PAES) (C). Axial balanced flow fast field echo magnetic resonance images and corresponding CT axial images demonstrate that the left medial head of gastrocnemius passes between the popliteal artery and popliteal vein. However, the aneurysmal right popliteal artery and the right popliteal vein are both located medial to, and are not separated by, the medial head of gastrocnemius (D). PAES is an uncommon cause of occlusive arterial disease, which is often bilateral. It is caused either by abnormal muscular insertions, typically of the medial head of gastrocnemius or the popliteus muscle, or by anomalous fibrous bands (types II, III, and IV, according to the modified Whelan classification).1Rich N.M. Collins G.J. McDonald P.T. Kozloff L. Clagett G.P. Collins J.T. Popliteal vascular entrapment: its increasing interest.Arch Surg. 1979; 114: 1377-1384Google Scholar Less commonly, an abnormal course of the popliteal vessels around normally inserted muscles is responsible for the entrapment (type I). Arteriovenous (type V) and functional entrapments have also been described. As illustrated, cross-sectional studies are very useful in demonstrating the abnormal anatomy. These two cases also show that muscular abnormalities are not always symmetrical in bilateral PAES (all limbs presenting as type II, except for the right leg of the second patient, which can be classed as type I, due to the medial course of the artery around a normal insertion of the medial head of gastrocnemius). Both patients consented to the publication of the case details and relative images.

Venous popliteal entrapment syndrome

Popliteal entrapment syndrome (PES) describes a set of symptoms related to compression of the neurovascular bundle in the popliteal fossa, with popliteal artery involvement the most widely recognized variation. Popliteal vein entrapment is a rare variation which can easily go undiagnosed. This is most commonly due to an anomaly of the medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle, but other etiologies include excess adipose tissue or cysts within the popliteal fossa, popliteal artery aneurysm, fibrous bands, thickened perivenous fascia, compression by the popliteus muscle or muscular hypertrophy independent of anomalous anatomy, or variant origin of the short saphenous vein. However, with improving awareness, it is a condition which should be increasingly considered in patients presenting with unexplained lower extremity swelling or other symptoms of lower extremity thrombosis. The initial test of choice is typically ultrasound with flexion and extension maneuvers. Venography is the gold standard for diagnosis, but MRI offers a noninvasive option for both diagnosis and evaluation of etiology and should be considered in the work-up of popliteal venous entrapment. Management is based on severity and type of symptoms, ranging from conservative management with compression stockings to surgical management if there is popliteal artery involvement or more severe symptoms. Endovascular therapy such as angioplasty or stenting has also been reported with good results.

Popliteal Artery Entrapment Syndrome

The true incidence of popliteal entrapment cannot be estimated due to a lack of awareness, misdiagnosis, and the relative rarity of presentation. Likely, only the most severe cases present for evaluation and workup and obtain a true diagnosis. We are presenting four legs of popliteal entrapment in two patients at different times.

Arteries of the Lower Limb-Embryology, Variations, and Clinical Significance.

The purpose of this article is to review the embryology of the lower limb arterial anatomy along with common variants and their clinical relevance. Embryologic variations of the lower limb arterial system may be explained by i.) persistence of primordial arterial segments, ii.) abnormal fusion, iii.) segmental hypoplasia/absence, or a combination of both. Persistent sciatic artery, corona mortis, and popliteal entrapment syndrome will also be discussed with associated symptoms, and potential complications. Knowledge of these variations is essential for surgical and endovascular management as failure to recognize them can result in complications.

Popliteal entrapment syndrome-The case for a new classification.

To assess the ability of the current classification system for popliteal entrapment syndrome to accurately capture all patients, and if not, to design an all-inclusive new classification. Retrospective review of all interventions performed for popliteal entrapment syndrome between 1994 and 2013 at our institution was performed. Preoperative imaging and intraoperative findings were used to establish the compressive morphology of popliteal entrapment syndrome. Patients were categorized, when possible, into six types of the current classification system (Rich classification, modified by Levien) and into seven types of a new classification. Sixty-seven limbs of 49 patients were operated on for unilateral (31) or bilateral (18) popliteal entrapment syndrome. The current classification system captured the anatomy of only 43 (64%) of 67 limbs with popliteal entrapment syndrome. Compressive morphologies without a defined class included aberrant insertion of the lateral head of gastrocnemius muscle, muscle slip originating from the lateral head of gastrocnemius or hamstrings, hypertrophied hamstring muscle, abnormal fibrous bands, perivascular connective tissue, and prominent lateral femoral condyle. The new classification captured 100% of the limbs with popliteal entrapment syndrome. Current classification of popliteal entrapment syndrome is inadequate as more than one-third of the cases reviewed fell outside of the standard classification system. Consideration of a more inclusive new anatomic classification system is warranted.