Cystic adventitial disease of the common femoral and popliteal arteries

Abstract

Cystic adventitial arterial disease (CAAD) is usually situated in the popliteal artery and is a well recognized cause of intermittent claudication in otherwise healthy, young, non-smokers. Three cases of CAAD have recently been encountered, involving the popliteal artery in two patients and the common femoral in one. Two of these patients were hypertensive smokers in their sixth decades and only one was an otherwise healthy non-smoker, but all three had a characteristically rapid onset of symptoms. All had angiographic appearances suggestive of CAAD, confirmed by ultrasound and CAT scanning in one patient. Two were treated by resection of the affected artery and a replacement graft, both with excellent results. One popliteal lesion was bypassed with a vein graft which occluded after 3 months. CAAD may occur more commonly than generally realized. It can present in patients whose condition suggests an atheromatous cause for their symptoms. Since good results can be expected from appropriate surgical treatment in most cases, CAAD should be considered in the diagnosis of all patients with claudication, particularly when the onset has been rapid.