Popliteal artery entrapment. (Report of a case)

A case of popliteal artery entrapment syndrome caused by an anomalous gastrocnemius muscle is described. The diagnosis, made before operation, was facilitated mainly by the presence of a "hot knee" in the affected leg. The etiology of this clinical sign is described and its diagnostic value, especially in obscure cases is accentuated. In this respect the usefulness of thermometric study and of thermography is presented. The literature of the condition is reviewed.