[Leriche syndrome]

Abstract

Leriche syndrome is a disease characterized by thrombotic occlusion in the aorta, frequently in the distal renal artery. Classic symptoms of this syndrome include pain in the lower extremities emerging during activity (claudication), impalpability of femoral pulses, and impotency in male patients. Definitive diagnosis of claudication due to insufficient circulation as well as claudication that is neurogenic in origin, is difficult. Medical history, physical examination, and monitoring methods are important for definitive diagnosis. Impalpability of bilateral femoral pulses in physical examination may be sign of Leriche syndrome. Color Doppler ultrasonography can be used to demonstrate that there is no circulation in the iliac arteries in cases of Leriche syndrome. In these patients, thrombotic occlusion of the aorta is confirmed by computed tomography angiography. Presently described is a case of Leriche syndrome in which the patient presented at hospital with complaint of claudication and was diagnosed with lumbar disc herniation. Since vascular pathologies were not considered in differential diagnosis, treatment was delayed and it resulted in mortality; for this reason it is important. When patients come to hospital with complaints of leg pain, clinicians should consider vascular pathologies before reaching definitive diagnosis, using detailed patient history and comprehensive physical examination.