Best Practice Case Studies-Popliteal Artery Entrapment

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Video Summary

A 19-year-old male with bilateral exertional leg pain suspected of popliteal artery entrapment underwent various imaging studies. Ultrasound and diagnostic angiogram revealed artery occlusion during plantar flexion, but couldn't identify the cause. Unlike angiograms, MRI/MRA without contrast and CT angiograms provide greater insight, showing soft tissues and potential anatomic variants leading to entrapment. These variants include accessory slips of the gastrocnemius muscle, which can compress the popliteal artery. MRI is favored for its lack of radiation and capability to assess soft tissue structures, aiding in identifying the cause of artery entrapment.

Meta Tag

Edition 2nd Edition

Related Case 2nd Edition, CASE 56

Topic Vascular

Keywords

2nd Edition, CASE 56

2nd Edition

Vascular

popliteal artery entrapment

MRI

diagnostic angiogram

gastrocnemius muscle

soft tissue assessment