ADVENTITIAL CYSTIC-DISEASE OF THE POPLITE AL ARTERY - IMAGING AND PERCUTANEOUS THERAPY

Adventitial cystic disease of the popliteal artery is a rare cause of calf claudication in young patients. A case explored by magnetic reson ance imaging is reported: a water rich mass around the popliteal arter y compressed the arterial lumen. Treatment consisted in CT-guided perc utaneous aspiration. Good functional outcome except for severe efforts , despsite persistance of cystic images was observed. Echography, comp uted tomography or magnetic resonance imaging are more useful to estab lish the diagnosis than arteriography because these techniques can dir ectly visualize the arterial wall. Percutaneous treatment preserves th e intima and can be performed in out-patients. When feasible, it could be preferred to conventional surgery.