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Floating Atheromatous Plaque in the Common Femoral Artery: A Rare Case With Implications for Diagnosis and Management

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Floating plaques are well recognized in the carotid artery but are rarely described in the femoral circulation. We present the case of a 73-year-old man with advanced peripheral arterial disease and features of chronic limb-threatening ischemia, including chronic left foot ulceration with a non-healing second-toe ulcer with exposed bone, in the background of prior transmetatarsal amputations and delayed wound healing. A mobile plaque was identified in the left common femoral artery on dynamic B-mode ultrasound, whereas computed tomography angiography showed eccentric calcified stenosis without a definite floating component. The patient underwent femoral endarterectomy with patch repair, and histology confirmed a ruptured calcified atheromatous plaque. Recovery was uneventful, and 12-month follow-up showed no restenosis. This case highlights the diagnostic value of dynamic B-mode ultrasound for detecting mobile femoral atheromatous lesions.

Source: Cureus

DOI: 10.7759/cureus.117624

Authors: Julian M Paione Oleszuk, Mohammad Ghasemi, Jens Achenbach, Clara Edith Engel, Zoran Rancic

Institutions: University Hospital of Basel, Spital Lachen, University of Zurich

Language: English

Topic: Peripheral Artery Disease Management

Subfield: Surgery

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W7221017510