ADVENTITIAL CYSTIC-DISEASE OF THE POPLITEAL ARTERY - PERCUTANEOUS US-GUIDED ASPIRATION

PURPOSE: To evaluate percutaneous ultrasound (US)-guided aspiration as an alternative therapy for adventitial cystic disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between September 1993 and June 1996, seven patients (six men , one woman; age range, 42-62 years; mean age, 48 years) presented wit h symptomatic adventitial cystic disease of the popliteal artery (one patient with subacute foot paresthesia, six patients with chronic calf claudication). Color Doppler sonography showed stenosis due to eccent ric cysts. Five of the patients also underwent digital subtraction ang iography, and four patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging. With real-time sonographic guidance, a 14-gauge needle was forwarded percu taneously into the cysts for aspiration. The aspiration procedure was performed on an outpatient basis with local anesthetics. RESULTS: The procedure was technically and clinically successful in all cases. No c omplications were noted. Follow-up color duplex sonography performed b etween 1 and 32 months (mean, 14.8 months) after the procedure showed no relevant recurrent stenosis. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous US-guided asp iration is an easy, safe, efficacious method for treating adventitial cystic disease. In symptomatic patients who do not have thrombotic occ lusion, it may be considered the treatment of choice.