Osteochondroma: an unusual cause of vascular disease in young adults

Vascular complications such as pseudoaneurysm, arterial thrombosis, luminal stenosis due to extrinsic compression, deep venous thrombosis, and arteriovenous fistula are known complications of osteochondroma. The authors describe three cases of vascular injury caused by osteochondroma: popliteal artery impingement, popliteal artery pseudoaneurysm formation, and superficial femoral artery pseudoaneurysm with peripheral occlusion of the tibial and peroneal arteries due to embolization. Fifty-six cases of vascular complications due to osteochondroma from the English literature are also reviewed. This entity should be considered in young patients with evidence of peripheral vascular insufficiency or in patients with known osteochondroma who develop symptoms of local pain and swelling in the involved extremity.