Arterial compromise caused by lower limb osteochondroma.

Area of Science:

• Vascular Surgery
• Orthopedic Oncology
• Radiology

Background:

• Osteochondromas (exostoses) are benign bone tumors that can rarely cause significant arterial complications.
• Distal superficial femoral and popliteal arteries are most frequently affected.
• These complications can manifest as peripheral arterial disease symptoms like claudication or diminished pulses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a series of patients with arterial complications secondary to osteochondromas.
• To evaluate the diagnostic methods and surgical outcomes for these rare vascular conditions.
• To emphasize the importance of surgical management and vigilant follow-up.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 11 patients (12 cases) with osteochondroma-induced arterial disorders.
• Diagnostic workup included radiography, ankle-brachial index (ABI), CT, color duplex ultrasound, arteriography, and scintigraphy.
• Surgical management involved osteochondroma removal, with arterial repair via saphenous vein interposition grafts or vein patch angioplasty.

Main Results:

• The popliteal artery was the most commonly affected vessel (7 cases).
• Seven patients received interposition vein grafts, and five had vein patch repairs.
• Good short-term and follow-up results were achieved with no major immediate postoperative complications.

Conclusions:

• Surgical treatment for vascular complications caused by osteochondromas is essential.
• Even asymptomatic bony lesions near arteries require close monitoring to prevent irreversible arterial damage.
• Early diagnosis and intervention lead to favorable outcomes in managing these rare juxtavascular tumors.