Use of 3.0-Tesla high spatial resolution magnetic resonance imaging for diagnosis and treatment of cystic adventitial disease of the popliteal artery.

Cystic adventitial disease (CAD) of the popliteal artery is a rare vascular disease of unknown etiology in which a mucin-containing cyst develops in the adventitial layer of the artery. Early recognition and treatment of this condition will prevent progression of the popliteal thrombosis and critical ischemia. However, diagnosis of the condition is difficult. The combination of contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) angiography and the excellent soft-tissue resolution of MR imaging allow for detailed evaluation of patients with CAD and facilitate appropriate management decisions. We report the 3.0-Tesla MR imaging features of CAD in three patients and discuss the interest for this noninvasive imaging technique in such a setting.