Cystic adventitial disease of the popliteal artery: a case report

ABSTRACT

Cystic adventitial disease of the popliteal artery (CADPA) is a rare but a well-known cause of intermittent claudication, especially in young patients. The etiology of the disease is still controversial. Diagnosis starts with thorough history taking, physical examination, and radiography. A 44-year-old man presented with intermittent left calf claudication that had begun 9 months earlier (; the symptom-free interval was about 500 m). 3D-CT and CT-angiography revealed an oval cystic mass that compressed the popliteal artery, causing severe stenosis. Surgery was performed; the affected segment of the artery was successfully excised and replaced with an autogenous saphenous vein graft. Follow-up is on going. No cyst recurrence has so far been detected either clinically or by duplex-sonography during the 6-month postoperative period. The graft was patent and the patient was completely symptom free. Severe claudication in young patients, possibly without significant vascular risk factors, should prompt the clinical suspicion of CADPA.