Chronic limb threatening ischemia due to radiation-induced arteriopathy 30 years after soft tissue sarcoma resection and radiation therapy: Case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Introduction

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) affects over 200 million people globally. A small subset of PAD patients are a result of radiation-induced peripheral artery disease (RIPAD). Radiation changes affect vascular physiology and cause arteriopathy with vessel damage and subsequent occlusion. This report details a case of common femoral and superficial femoral artery RIPAD with a review of the existing literature.

Case report

A 40-year-old male patient presented with a six-month history of left leg rest pain. He had 30 years prior synovial cell sarcoma of the thigh treated with chemo- and radiation therapy with chronic residual lymphedema managed with compression therapy. Preoperative non-invasive studies demonstrated an ankle-brachial index of 0.42. Computed tomography angiography of the leg demonstrated a small caliber external iliac artery and occlusion of the common femoral and superficial femoral arteries. A left external iliac to above-the-knee popliteal artery bypass using a contralateral great saphenous vein was performed. Six weeks after operative intervention, the groin wound broke down and became infected. He required emergent repair of this bypass using 4 cm cryopreserved vein interposition graft. Intraoperative cultures were positive for Staphylococcus epidermidis and Finegoldia magna. At a 4.5-year follow-up, the patient remains active with a patent bypass and continues to manage his leg lymphedema with thigh-high elastic compression stockings.

Conclusion

Clinical expertise is required to detect RIPAD early on. There is a high risk for post-operative complications due to radiation damage to surrounding tissues. Open surgical repair is the preferred treatment strategy. Lymphedema and wound healing complications are key to managing patients affected by RIPAD.