Aneurysms Of The Upper Limb

Abstract

Materials and Methods:
Fiftyone patients were included in this prospective ongoing study at the Department of Vascular Surgery at Dow Medical College and Civil Hospital, Karachi, in a four-year period (1986- 1990). Most patients were referred from various Outpatient Clinics with establ ished aneurysm formation or with clear and stable signs of neurovascular trauma after initial haemostasis.

Discussion:
Peripheral upper limb aneurysms are increasing in frequency (1,2,3). The main reasons are increasing RTAs, knife and gunshot injuries. Less frequent causes include iatrogenic trauma (blood gas study, transaxill ary angiography, drug abuse by addicts etc. Although rare, but a displaced clavicular fracture can produce a subclavian aneurysm (although major arterial lacerat ions, exsanguination and venous trauma are comm oner). If the aneurysm remains small in size, it may remain concealed in the depths of thoracic inlet and may produce embolic digital gangrene, as reported by McCready.