Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome with distal embolization. A report of two cases

The popliteal vascular entrapment syndrome has been recognized as a cause of arterial occlusion in young males for several decades. The ischemia is usually caused by thrombosis of the popliteal artery due to intimal trauma or aneurysm formation. Distal embolization to the tibial arteries and to the foot arch and digital vessels is common but is not emphasized in the literature. This distal embolization may precipitate severe ischemia which may preclude reconstruction or compromise the results of repair of the popliteal lesion. Early repair of the muscle anomaly is advocated even in the asymptomatic limb. Two patients with bilateral popliteal artery entrapment causing unilateral popliteal occlusion with distal embolization are reported.