[Hereditary multiple exostosis revealed by deep vein and arterial popliteal thrombosis]

We report a 38-year-old man who presented successively a thrombosis of the right popliteal vein and the right popliteal artery, responsible of a painful edema of the leg. There was no known thrombophilic predisposing condition. Radiologic assessment, guided by clinical findings, evidenced bilateral femoral and tibial exostosis resulting in a diagnosis of hereditary multiples exostosis. Although anticoagulant treatment with unfractioned heparin was instituted, distal ischemia of the right lower limb developed. Resection of the compressive osteochondroma and an arterial femorotibial bypass venous graft were performed in addition to prolonged anticoagulant therapy. Outcome was eventually favorable. Hereditary multiple exostosis may be asymptomatic for long time. Compression of adjacent vascular structures by an osteochondroma is a rare and potentially serious complication.