Popliteal artery entrapment: diagnosis by computed tomography.

Popliteal artery entrapment by an anomalous band of the gastrocnemius muscle is uncommon. In cases where popliteal artery occlusion has occurred, the diagnosis is difficult to establish. A case is presented in which computed axial tomography of the popliteal space established the diagnosis of popliteal artery thrombosis caused by entrapment when other diagnostic modalities were inconclusive. Computed axial tomography provides precise anatomic display of the muscle structure of the popliteal fossa and should be an important diagnostic tool in patients suspected to have popliteal artery entrapment.