Anomalous vasculature as direct cause of upper brachial plexus thoracic outlet syndrome.
Direct vascular etiologies of upper plexus thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) other than the subclavian vessels are exceptional. This is a unique case of an anomalous artery and its accompanying vein causing direct compression to the upper brachial plexus causing TOS. All symptoms resolved after successful treatment consisting of ligation and resection of the vessels. This case demonstrates that although direct vascular etiologies causing upper plexus TOS are extremely uncommon, they should be considered in the differential diagnosis.
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA. gchlorosdoc@gmail.com
George D
GD
Chloros
Nicholas
N
Crosby
Peter
P
Apel
Zhongyu
Z
Li
D001158:Arteries / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000601:surgery; D001917:Brachial Plexus / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology*; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020069:Shoulder Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D013901:Thoracic Outlet Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014680:Veins / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000601:surgery; D055815:Young Adult