Recurrent upper limb ischaemia due to a crutch-induced brachial artery aneurysm

Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg. 2013 Jul;17(1):190-2. doi: 10.1093/icvts/ivt121. Epub 2013 Mar 25.

Abstract

An 83-year old man who had used bilateral axillary crutches for 67 years was referred to our hospital for acute left upper limb ischaemia. He underwent successful recanalization through emergent catheter thromboembolectomy. However, a crutch-induced left brachial artery aneurysm was subsequently detected by computed tomography. Therefore, we performed aneurysm exclusion and subsequent saphenous vein bypass grafting. When a crutch user presents with upper limb ischaemia, a high index of suspicion and early identification of the crutch induced vascular injury are mandatory for appropriate treatment.

Keywords: Brachial artery aneurysm; Crutch-induced vascular injury; Upper limb ischaemia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Aneurysm / diagnosis
  • Aneurysm / etiology*
  • Aneurysm / therapy
  • Brachial Artery / diagnostic imaging
  • Brachial Artery / injuries*
  • Brachial Artery / surgery
  • Catheterization, Peripheral
  • Crutches / adverse effects*
  • Embolectomy / methods
  • Humans
  • Ischemia / diagnosis
  • Ischemia / etiology*
  • Ischemia / therapy
  • Male
  • Recurrence
  • Saphenous Vein / transplantation
  • Thrombectomy / methods
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Upper Extremity / blood supply*
  • Vascular System Injuries / diagnosis
  • Vascular System Injuries / etiology*
  • Vascular System Injuries / therapy