Adventitial cystic disease of the radial artery

Adventitial cystic disease of arteries is a rare disorder of unknown etiology. While it usually involves the popliteal artery, less common sites of involvement include the external iliac, common femoral, radial, and ulnar arteries. Two cases of adventitial cystic disease of the radial artery are reported herein; each occurred following percutaneous puncture of the radial artery to obtain a blood sample for blood gas analysis. The etiology, modes of presentation, and treatment options are reviewed.