Recurrent upper extremity embolism due to a crutch-induced arterial injury: a different cause of upper extremity embolism.
Acute embolism of the upper extremity is a relatively infrequent event compared to the lower extremity, but it will affect the function of the limb involved and may occasionally lead to amputation. Most upper extremity emboli are of cardiac origin, with the remainder arising from subclavian aneurysm, occlusive disease, or iatrogenic causes. Rarely, crutch-induced repetitive trauma of an upper extremity can produce recurrent embolic events. Frequently, this process is initially diagnosed and treated as a brachial artery embolism; such a misdiagnosis is associated with recurrent embolism. We report herein two uncommon cases of axillobrachial arterial injuries secondary to crutch trauma as a source of recurrent emboli to an upper extremity.
Moon
In Sung
IS
Department of Surgery, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, College of Medicine, Seoul 137-040, Korea.
Hwang
Jeong Kye
JK
Kim
Ji Il
JI
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D017130:Angioplasty; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D001366:Axillary Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic; D003446:Crutches / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017128:Embolectomy; D004617:Embolism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D004691:Endarterectomy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012008:Recurrence; D017131:Thrombectomy; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000098:blood supply*