We present a remarkable case involving a 67-year-old woman who experienced intermittent claudication, primarily due to severe stenosis of the popliteal artery caused by compression from a ganglion cyst. This cyst, notably, extended into the adventitia of the popliteal artery, complicating her condition. After a thorough evaluation, the patient declined the option of vein bypass grafting, which is a common surgical intervention for addressing such vascular issues. Instead, she opted for a less invasive approach, leading to a groundbreaking treatment using ultrasound-guided aspiration of the cyst.
The ultrasound guidance proved instrumental in accurately locating the cyst and performing the aspiration procedure, resulting in the successful drainage of the ganglion cyst. Following the aspiration, normal blood flow to the popliteal artery was restored, alleviating her claudication symptoms. This case is particularly significant as it marks the first reported instance of successful recanalization of the popliteal artery through the aspiration of a ganglion cyst.
Previous attempts have been made to aspirate Baker’s cysts that similarly cause claudication, but this case stands out due to the unique circumstances involving a ganglion cyst affecting the popliteal artery. The successful outcome not only highlights an innovative treatment for a challenging vascular condition but also emphasizes the potential etiology of cystic adventitial disease as a significant factor in vascular compression syndromes. This case contributes to the growing body of literature supporting the use of ultrasound-guided techniques in managing complex vascular issues while offering an alternative treatment pathway for patients reluctant to undergo more invasive surgical procedures.
