[Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome].
Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome (PAES) should be suspected in young persons without predisposing factors to arteriosclerosis, who present with unilateral claudication in the calf and foot. This entity results from a developmental abnormal relation between the popliteal artery and the medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle. PAES is mostly found in young sportsmen or young soldiers with well-developed muscles. The onset of the symptoms is often sudden, occurring during an episode of intense lower extremity activity. The diagnosis is best established by a thorough clinical examination combined with functional tests followed by a CT-scan and/or biplanar arteriography. The treatment is surgical with decompression of the popliteal artery and in cases of arterial thrombosis also interposition of an autologous graft. Prophylactic decompression should be considered in asymptomatic cases.