Keywords
knee - pain - popliteal artery entrapment syndrome
Introduction
Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome (PAES) results from obliteration of the popliteal
arterial flow by adjacent structures, causing pain and low blood perfusion in the
affected limb.[1] Its etiology is both anatomical (congenital) and functional. In congenital PAES,
there is a vascular malformation during the embryonic period or the abnormal development
of structures surrounding the artery, reducing the blood flow in its lumen. In contrast,
functional PAES results from the hypertrophy of the musculature around the artery
and its consequent compression.[2] The present paper addresses PAES diagnosis and treatment based on a case of a patient
who agreed with the report by signing an informed consent form (ICF).
Clinical Case
A 20-year-old Caucasian woman came to an orthopedic specialty outpatient clinic complaining
of pain in her right knee for one year, which had worsened for one month. At that
time, the most likely diagnostic hypothesis was patellofemoral pain syndrome. For
diagnosis clarification, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the right knee
was requested; it revealed an anatomical variation in the popliteal fossa of the accessory
band at the attachment site of the lateral gastrocnemius, which caused entrapment
of the popliteal artery and the symptoms presented by the patient. This piece of information
led to the suspicion of PAES, and the patient was referred to a vascular surgeon for
clinical tests and adequate treatment planning.
During consultation with the vascular surgeon, specifically during the physical examination,
the patient presented intermittent claudication in the right lower limb. Palpation
of posterior tibial and dorsalis pedis arterial pulses on the right and left sides
revealed symmetrical, full, and rhythmic pulses at rest. However, dorsiflexion and
plantar flexion of the right foot led to the disappearance of the posterior tibial
and dorsalis pedis pulses at palpation and digital pallor, which did not occur in
the contralateral limb. A physical examination of the knee showed no other particularities.
After the diagnosis, we decided on surgical treatment. With the patient in the prone
position, we made an S-shaped incision in the popliteal fossa for a posterior approach
to identify the popliteal artery and vein and the sural nerve ([Fig. 1]). Then, we resected the accessory muscle band of the lateral gastrocnemius ([Fig. 2]) and released the entrapment of the corresponding popliteal artery ([Fig. 3]).
Fig. 1 Posterior view of the knee. Popliteal fossa approach through an S-shaped incision.
Popliteal artery entrapped by an accessory band of the lateral gastrocnemius.
Fig. 2 Posterior view of the knee. Extrication of the popliteal artery with resection of
the accessory band of the lateral gastrocnemius.
Fig. 3 Posterior view of the knee. Resolution of the popliteal artery entrapment by resecting
the accessory band of the lateral gastrocnemius.
The surgical treatment was uneventful. During the postoperative follow-up, a physical
examination revealed no changes in the right dorsalis pedis and posterior tibial pulses
during plantar dorsiflexion. Furthermore, 30 days after surgery, a Doppler ultrasonography
of the popliteal vessels with plantar flexion forced against resistance showed satisfactory
recovery and postsurgical follow-up. Therefore, these tests were repeated 6 and 12
months after surgery, and the prognosis was good, since treatment was successful.
In summary, the patient had a satisfactory postoperative period, with symptom remission
and return to daily activities, including sports, resulting in improved quality of
life.
Discussion
Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome is the leading cause of intermittent claudication
in young patients without atherosclerotic disease etiologies,[2]
[3] and one of the differential diagnoses of lower limb pain, along with tibial stress
syndrome, stress fractures, arteritis, myopathies, popliteal artery cyst, and tendinopathies.[1]
[4]
Popliteal artery entrapment results in significant symptoms in the lower limbs, including
pain, paresthesia, and physical exertion-triggered pallor.[2]
[4] Lamônica et al.[5] demonstrated that semiological maneuvers of foot dorsiflexion or flexion caused
reduced or absent posterior tibial and dorsalis pedis pulses due to compression of
the popliteal artery from the contraction of the adjacent muscles, as shown in the
physical examination of our patient.
Among the supplementary diagnostic tests available, MRI is more effective for the
arteriographic study and the analysis of structures adjacent to vessels in the popliteal
fossa compared with other imaging methods, such as computed tomography (CT). Magnetic
resonance imaging revealed an anatomical variation in our patient, which enabled us
to determine the diagnosis the diagnosis of PAES, classify it, and select the appropriate
treatment. There are six types of PAES,[2]
[5] namely:
-
Type I: Popliteal artery with medial deviation but normal attachment of the gastrocnemius
muscle in the internal condyle of the femur.
-
Type II: Popliteal artery with regular course, passing anteriorly to the internal
tendon of the gastrocnemius muscle, which is attached more laterally into the internal
condyle of the femur.
-
Type III: The gastrocnemius muscle has an anatomical variation, that is, an additional
tendon attached laterally, compressing the artery.
-
Type IV: Arterial compression by the popliteus muscle, with no anatomical variations
of the gastrocnemius muscle.
-
Type V: Concomitant compression of the popliteal artery and vein.
-
Type VI: Functional arterial compression by muscle hypertrophy with regular constitution.
The case herein reported is classified as type III since the MRI showed an anatomical
variation, that is, an accessory band at the origin of the lateral gastrocnemius,
which compresses the popliteal artery against the femoral condyle during muscle contraction.[4]
It is worth noting that surgery is the treatment of choice for popliteal artery extrication
even in asymptomatic patients[2] because of PAES complications, including arterial thrombosis from repeated vascular
damage, thromboembolism, or vascular aneurysm.[1]
Furthermore, the approach to the popliteal fossa occurs through an S-shaped incision
to fold the popliteal face after surgery.[4] In type-III PAES, after identifying the accessory band, it is necessary to perform
its resection to extricate the popliteal artery.[3]
The present case report shows the significant role of surgical treatment in decompressing
the popliteal artery to alleviate symptoms and prevent potential complications. Considering
the scarce literature on the subject, the present case report can serve as a reference
to guide professionals in the diagnosis and treatment of intermittent claudication
and knee pain in young patients, since PAES is one of the differential diagnoses.
