Tarsal tunnel syndrome associated with a pulsating artery: effectiveness of high-resolution ultrasound in diagnosing tarsal tunnel syndrome.

Abstract

We describe a patient with tarsal tunnel syndrome in whom ultrasound imaging revealed compression of the posterior tibial nerve by a pulsating artery. High-resolution ultrasound showed a round pulsating hypoechoic lesion in contact with the posterior tibial nerve. Ultrasound-guided injection of 0.5% lidocaine temporarily resolved the paresthesia. These findings suggest an arterial etiology of tarsal tunnel syndrome.

• Authors: Eunkuk Kim, Martin K Childers
• Journal: Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association (J Am Podiatr Med Assoc) 2010 May-Jun Vol. 100 Issue 3 Pg. 209-12 ISSN: 1930-8264 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 20479452 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Topics

• Aged
• Ankle (blood supply, diagnostic imaging)
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Female
• Humans
• Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
• Pulsatile Flow (physiology)
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome (diagnostic imaging, etiology, physiopathology)
• Tibial Arteries (abnormalities, diagnostic imaging, physiopathology)
• Ultrasonography, Doppler (methods)
• Vascular Malformations (complications, diagnostic imaging, physiopathology)