[Vascularization in congenital hypoplasia of the leg in children]

On the basis of digital subtractive angiography (DSA) arterial vascularization of lower extremities of six children with congenital hypoplasia of the leg has been studied. Four of our patients had fibular aplasia and anterior bowing of the tibia. One child had congenital bowing of the leg, and one had congenital pseudoarthrosis. An obstacle for contrast agent passage was found in every case at different levels of both anterior and posterior tibial arteries, in one case additionally segmental occlusion of popliteal artery was observed. These vascular anomalies combined with musculoskeletal hypoplasias are suggestive of developmental disturbances from intrauterine life. According to the authors they are responsible for frequent failures in surgical treatment of fibular aplasia with anterior bowing of the tibia and of congenital pseudoarthrosis of the leg.