[Recurrent acute occlusions of the popliteal artery before age 50: popliteal entrapment syndrome?].

Compression of the popliteal artery by the medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle is termed "Popliteal Artery Entrapment". The anatomical course of the artery can be normal or abnormal. The entrapment can cause occlusion of the artery or peripheral embolism. This syndrome is an important differential diagnosis in younger patients with recurrent peripheral arterial ischemia. Diagnosis is made by history, clinical findings, arteriography and CT-scan of the knees. All cases of popliteal artery entrapment, whether the artery is occluded or not, should be operated on.