What condition may be suggested by bilateral high systolic thigh pressures with patient complaints of buttock claudication?

The indication of bilateral high systolic thigh pressures combined with the patient’s complaints of buttock claudication strongly suggests aortoiliac occlusive disease. In this condition, there is a blockage in the arteries that supply blood to the pelvis and legs. Patients often report claudication, which is characterized by pain in the buttocks, thighs, or calves during physical activity due to insufficient blood flow.

High systolic pressures in the thighs can reflect preserved proximal blood flow due to collateral circulation, while the claudication signifies that the downstream blood supply is inadequate. This is particularly observed in aortoiliac occlusive disease, where the obstruction can lead to symptoms in the upper portions of the lower extremities, such as the thighs and buttocks, rather than in the lower calf regions typically seen in more distal diseases.

Other conditions might mimic some symptoms, but they do not align as closely with the combination of thigh pressures and the specific location of claudication complaints. For instance, peripheral artery disease generally refers to more generalized arterial blockages, while deep vein thrombosis typically involves venous occlusion and presents differently. Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome usually causes symptoms further along the leg rather than in the buttock area. Thus,