Intermittent claudication of the foot in view of foot muscle blood flow measured by 133Xe clearance technique and arteriographic findings.

In 20 limbs of 10 healthy subjects and 55 limbs of 41 patients with occlusive areterial diseases of the legs, muscle blood flow was measured in the flexor hallucis brevis muscle by 133Xe clearance technique. The clearance curves after the ischemic exercise differenciated limbs with intermittent claudication of the foot from normals and limbs without claudication. An attempt was also made with arteriographic findings in 102 limbs of 84 patients with occlusions of the leg and/or foot arteries only. From results obtained, it is concluded that 133Xe clearance technique applied in the flexor hallucis brevis muscle can be used for diagnosis of foot pain during walking of uncertain origin and intermittent claudication of the foot is caused by severe circulatory insufficiencies of the plantar muscles during walking in the patients with involvements of the posterior tibial and/or plantar arteries.