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Unusual cause of intermittent claudication.
C Thalhammer1, M Aschwanden, B Blum
1Department of Angiology, University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland. thalhammerc@uhbs.ch
VASA. Zeitschrift Fur Gefasskrankheiten
|December 30, 2004
Summary
A rare spontaneous dissection of the external iliac artery occurred in a 60-year-old woman, causing leg ischemia. Medical treatment led to spontaneous healing of the dissection, a unique outcome not previously reported.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Surgery
- Cardiology
- Radiology
Background:
- Spontaneous arterial dissection is uncommon, particularly in peripheral arteries.
- External iliac artery dissection, without atherosclerosis or aneurysm, is exceptionally rare.
Observation:
- A 60-year-old woman presented with left calf claudication due to external iliac artery dissection.
- Non-invasive imaging revealed a floating dissection membrane causing leg ischemia.
Findings:
- The patient underwent conservative medical management for eight weeks.
- Follow-up demonstrated complete adaptation of the dissection membrane to the vessel wall, indicating spontaneous healing.
Implications:
- This case highlights a unique spontaneous resolution of external iliac artery dissection.
- It suggests that non-operative management may be a viable option for selected cases of spontaneous peripheral artery dissection.