Compression syndromes

Vascular compression syndromes are rare conditions that often affect younger patients with non-specific symptoms. They can reduce quality of life. They are caused by anatomical conditions and often remain asymptomatic throughout life. In vascular compression syndromes, a blood vessel is compressed by an adjacent structure such as bone, muscle or ligament.

Nerve compression syndromes

In addition to vascular compression, there are often associated nerve compression syndromes which can cause a variety of symptoms. Other possible differential diagnoses must be excluded on an interdisciplinary basis and treatment must be planned carefully and individually.

The most common vascular compression syndromes include (a selection):

• Thoracic outlet and thoracic inlet syndrome (compression of the subclavian artery or vein)
• Arcuate ligament syndrome (compression of the celiac trunk)
• Entrapment syndrome of the popliteal artery in the area of the popliteal fossa
• May-Turner syndrome (compression of the left iliac vein by the crossing artery)
• Many other compression syndromes have been described with proper names (Nutcracker, Willie, Dunbar

A very rare specific condition is sport-associated iliac endofibrosis.