Femoropopliteal occlusions and the adductor canal hiatus, Duplex study.

The majority of lower limb arterial occlusions are located in the distal third of the thigh. However, the exact location of occlusions in relation to the surrounding anatomy has never been examined. Duplex ultrasound was used to determine the location of femoropopliteal occlusions in 50 patients by comparing the level of occlusions to the level of the adductor canal hiatus. We found that although the level of the adductor canal hiatus may vary, 72% of occlusions are related to the site of the adductor canal hiatus. Short occlusions were located in the hiatus region, longer occlusions extended mainly in the proximal direction.