title: Atherosclerotic aneurysm of the intrathoracic subclavian artery: a case report and review of the literature.
abstract: True aneurysm of the subclavian artery is extremely rare. Excluding the more common aneurysms of an aberrant right subclavian artery, those associated with thoracic outlet syndrome, and posttraumatic "aneurysms," atherosclerosis is the most common cause. Syphilis, tuberculosis, and cystic medial necrosis are less often the cause. These aneurysms can rupture, thrombose, embolize, or cause symptoms by local compression. Surgical treatment is generally indicated, and has evolved from ligation procedures to extirpation or endoaneurysmorrhaphy to the present practice of resection with revascularization. A case of a surgically treated, asymptomatic, atherosclerotic aneurysm of the intrathoracic left subclavian artery is presented, with a review of the English-language literature on the subject.
authors.affiliation: Section of Vascular Surgery, Pennsylvania Hospital, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Dougherty
authors.forename: K D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Calligaro
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Savarese
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: DeLaurentis
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000783:Aneurysm / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013348:Subclavian Artery / Q000601:surgery*