Endovascular Treatment of Claudication due to Isolated Internal Iliac Artery Occlusive Disease

Area of Science:

• Vascular Surgery
• Interventional Cardiology
• Medical Diagnostics

Background:

• Aortoiliac occlusive disease commonly causes lower extremity claudication, typically presenting with diminished pulses and abnormal vascular studies.
• Isolated internal iliac artery stenosis is less common but can mimic these symptoms, affecting the buttocks, hips, or thighs.
• Diagnosis can be challenging due to normal lower extremity findings, potentially misdirecting clinical suspicion away from vascular causes.

Observation:

• A case of disabling buttock claudication in a patient with normal pulses and isolated ipsilateral internal iliac artery stenosis is presented.
• The patient's symptoms were successfully treated with drug-eluting balloon angioplasty.
• This highlights a less common but treatable cause of claudication.

Findings:

• Internal iliac artery stenosis can present atypically with normal peripheral vascular examinations.
• Drug-eluting balloon angioplasty is an effective endovascular treatment for isolated internal iliac artery stenosis.
• Literature review supports angioplasty as a viable option for similar cases.

Implications:

• Increased awareness of isolated internal iliac artery stenosis is crucial for accurate diagnosis of buttock claudication.
• Endovascular techniques like angioplasty provide effective treatment options for this condition.
• This case contributes to understanding the spectrum of iliac artery disease and its management.