DOI: 10.24019/issn.2532-0831

Online ISSN 2532-0831

Journal of Theoretical and Applied Vascular Research

Journal website: http://www.vasculab.eu/jtavr.xml

JTAVR 2018;3(1): 37-40

Occlusion of the popliteal artery after focused ultrasound treatment - a case report

FP Faccini¹, JMC  Souza², AL Arendt³

Abstract The use of focused ultrasound and high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is common in physical therapy and medical procedures. The ultrasound produces heat and can be used to treat several diseases. We report a case of a 49-year-old male that had a knee injury after mild trauma. The patient started physical therapy sessions to treat the injury. Ipsilateral calf claudication started a few hours after the focused ultrasound was used to heat the popliteal area progressing to symptoms of acute arterial occlusion in two weeks. We started anticoagulation and confirmed popliteal thrombosis with duplex scan and computed tomography. The 5 years follow up showed good clinical recovery and recanalization of the artery. This case reminds us that the focused ultrasound should not be considered harmless and life-threatening complications may occur. The inadvertent heating of neighboring structures and recanalization of the heated vessel may happen.