Popliteal artery entrapment by fibrous band

A case of popliteal artery entrapment by a fibrous band is reported in a 17-year-old girl. Diagnosis of an entrapment syndrome was suspected clinically, supported by the arteriogram, and confirmed by the operative findings. In contrast to most previously reported cases of popliteal entrapment, the vessel in this case was in its normal relation to the medial head of the gastrocnemius and was patent. Division of the band alone was sufficient to relieve all the ischemic manifestations.