Subclavian artery occlusion following radiotherapy for carcinoma of the breast.
Four cases of subclavian artery occlusion occurring 5-17 years after irradiation for breast carcinoma are presented. Although arterial insufficiency is a rarely reported sequel to radiotherapy, it may be the cause of pain and disability in the upper extremity in a postmastectomy patient. Particular attention should be paid to the presence of a bruit over the subclavian and axillary arteries. Arteriography will often reveal a short, segmental lesion of the subclavian artery that frequently can be repaired surgically.
D000368:Aged; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008875:Middle Aged; D011832:Radiation Injuries; D011859:Radiography; D013348:Subclavian Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging