[Bilateral popliteal artery entrapment syndrome. Is preventive operation on the asymptomatic side indicated?]

Popliteal artery entrapment is a rare cause of claudication symptoms, but should always be included in the differential diagnosis of lower limb ischaemia in young patients, especially men. On an embryological basis, PAES is the result of the abnormal development of the popliteal artery or the gastrocnemius muscle. The anomaly is manifested as one of four types. Untreated, the entrapment results in the deterioration of the artery, resulting in eventual occlusion. Presenting the case of a 37 year old female patient with bilateral PAES and a review of the literature we discuss the clinical findings, diagnosis, treatment options and the management of the often asymptomatic opposite side.