POPLITEAL ARTERY-OCCLUSION SECONDARY TO CYSTIC ADVENTITIAL DISEASE - A RARE ETIOLOGY OF LOWER-EXTREMITY ISCHEMIA IN A MARATHON RUNNER - A CASE-REPORT

A 44-year-old marathon runner was referred with a 2-week history of th e sudden onset of severe left calf claudication. Angiography showed a 3- to 4-centimeter focal near-occlusion of the left midpopliteal arter y. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a cystic structure in the left po pliteal artery wall. A left popliteal artery exploration revealed popl iteal artery occlusion secondary to cystic adventitial disease, Excisi on of the cyst resulted in restoration of pedal pulses. This rare dise ase of uncertain etiology should be suspected in young adults presenti ng with ischemia. Various noninvasive techniques in conjunction with a rteriography result in reliably diagnosing cystic adventitial disease. Excision of the cyst usually provides adequate treatment. Resection o f the diseased arterial segment with autogenous bypass may be required .