Cervical Rib as a Cause of Subacute Upper Limb Ischemia

Overview

A young woman was examined for sub acute right hand ischemia. Ultrasound showed subclavian artery aneurysm and brachial artery thrombosis. No flow was detected in forearm arteries. A cervical rib was identified as a cause of arterial damage and dilatation and subsequent outflow arteries thrombosis by chronic impingement. Restoration of circulation in the affected upper limb was achieved by local thrombolytic therapy and surgical thrombectomy. Subclavian artery aneurysm as the source of embolisation was resected and replaced with prosthetic interposition graft. Cervical rib as a cause of arterial damage was also resected.

Key words:
cervical rib – subclavian artery aneurysm and resection and prosthetic graft interposition – brachial artery thrombosis – thrombolysis – thrombectomy – cervical rib resection