The embolic type of popliteal entrapment syndrome

The authors describe their experience with two patients who presented with clinical extremes of popliteal entrapment syndrome. One patient presented with acute ischemia and the second patient presented with a chronic Buergerian-like syndrome. The common denominator for both of them was embolic phenomena originating at the site of entrapment. Discussion is centered on pathogenesis of the embolic phenomenon, prevalence of distal arterial degradation and its clinical manifestation. The clue for differentiation from true Buerger disease is the angiographic pattern demonstrating apparently healthy distal arterial segments, confirmed by mandatory arterial biopsy. It is emphasized that in cases having acute embolic presentation the primary pathology should be treated concomitantly to revascularization.