Radial nerve compression by a large cephalic vein aneurysm: case report

• Published in: Journal of vascular surgery Vol. 38; no. 3; pp. 617 - 619
• Main Authors: Kassabian, Elie, Coppin, Thierry, Combes, Myriam, Julia, Pierre, Fabiani, Jean-Noel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Mosby, Inc 01.09.2003; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adult; Aneurysm - complications; Aneurysm - diagnostic imaging; Aneurysm - surgery; Biological and medical sciences; Blood and lymphatic vessels; Cardiology. Vascular system; Diseases of the peripheral vessels. Diseases of the vena cava. Miscellaneous; Electromyography; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Nerve Compression Syndromes - diagnosis; Nerve Compression Syndromes - etiology; Radial Neuropathy - diagnosis; Radial Neuropathy - etiology; Recovery of Function; Risk Assessment; Subclavian Vein; Treatment Outcome; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex; Vascular Surgical Procedures - methods; Wrist - physiopathology; Vascular disease; Case study; Human; Compression; Radial nerve; Aneurysm; Clinical form; Cardiovascular disease; Venous disease; Cephalic vein
• ISSN: 0741-5214; 1097-6809
• DOI: 10.1016/S0741-5214(03)00290-8

A 43-year-old man had weakness of the extensor muscles in the right forearm and could not extend the right wrist. The apparent disorder was caused by radial nerve compression by a large aneurysm in the cephalic vein in the antecubital fossa. Surgical resection of the aneurysm resolved the symptoms. This exceedingly rare complication of venous aneurysm is discussed. Venous aneurysm should be included in the differential diagnosis of a subcutaneous mass, and diagnosis is best made with Duplex ultrasound scanning. Surgical excision is the appropriate treatment.