Title
Blunt traumatic axillary artery truncation, in the absence of associated fracture
Publication Date
2018
Journal Title
Am J Emerg Med
Abstract
© 2017 Elsevier Inc. Background: Axillary artery injuries can be associated with both proximal humeral fractures (Naouli et al., 2016; Ng et al., 2016) [1,2] as well as shoulder dislocations (Leclerc et al., 2017; Karnes et al., 2016) [3,4]. We report a rare case of an isolated axillary artery truncation following blunt trauma without any associated fracture or dislocation. Case report: A 58-year-old male presented to the emergency department for evaluation after falling on his outstretched right arm. The patient was found to have an absent right radial pulse with decreased sensation to the right arm. Point of care ultrasound showed findings suspicious for traumatic axillary artery injury, and X-rays did not demonstrate any fracture. Computed tomography with angiography confirmed axillary artery truncation with active extravasation. The patient underwent successful vascular repair with an axillary artery bypass. Although extremity injuries are common in emergency departments, emergency physicians need to recognize the risk for vascular injuries, even without associated fracture or dislocation.
Volume Number
36
Issue Number
2
Pages
340.e1 - 340.e2
Document Type
Article
Status
Faculty
Facility
School of Medicine
Primary Department
Emergency Medicine
PMID
DOI
10.1016/j.ajem.2017.10.021