CYSTIC ADVENTITIAL DEGENERATION OF THE PO PLITEAL ARTERY

We report two cases of cystic adventitial degeneration of the poplitea l artery in young sportsmen. The pathogenetic role of microtrauma is s uggested by the localisation of the adventitial cysts, the clinical sy mptoms, as well as the immunohistochemical demonstration of foamy macr ophages instead of endothelial cells in the wall of the cysts. In one case the cause of the intermittent claudication could be verified by d uplex sonography and comparison of the arterial pressure of both legs with a Doppler method only after physical exercise. As expected, an an giodilatation has only a temporary effect. Therefore a surgical resect ion of the cyst or of the involved arterial segment had be performed.