Methods: A total of 1263 popliteal arteries of 690 patients (566 males, 124 females; mean age 64 years; range 8 to 85 years) for whom all clinical data were available and who underwent lower extremity digital subtraction angiography in our department between February 2001 and November 2010 were investigated retrospectively. The diseases that affect popliteal arteries were classified as atherosclerosis, aneurysm, trauma, acute thromboembolism, popliteal entrapment syndrome, Buerger's disease and other forms of vasculitis. The clinical symptoms and treatment methods of the patients were evaluated in the light of the above-mentioned findings.

Results: Lesions were found in 731 arteries in the digital subtraction angiographic examination of 1263 arteries in total. Of these lesions 695 were atherosclerosis lesions, nine were aneurysms, 12 were traumas, two were acute thromboembolus, two were entrapment syndromes and 10 were Buerger's disease lesions.

Conclusion: Digital subtraction angiography is a valuable method in the diagnosis of popliteal artery disease and effective in determining the treatment method.