Vascular Ultrasound Imaging of Axillary Artery Thrombosis in a Neonate

Abstract

This case report presents a 4-day-old neonate with axillary artery thrombosis born to a diabetic mother. After receiving an angiogram and blood workup, the neonate then received an ultrasound. The angiogram, as well as the ultrasound, revealed left axillary artery thrombus. The neonate received low molecular weight heparin treatment and was closely monitored over the course of the hospitalization. Because of the rarity of neonatal axillary arterial thrombosis, the condition is sporadically reported in literature. Causes of this condition have been attributed to sepsis, congestive heart failure, trauma, coagulation disorders, polycythemia, and dehydration. It is documented that a clot can form in the renal vein, inferior vena cava, ductus arteriosus, or umbilical vessels and travel to an upper extremity artery. Treatments include clinical observation, systemic anticoagulation, surgical thrombectomy, or intraoperative balloon angioplasty. This case demonstrates the ability of ultrasound to diagnose and follow upper extremity arterial thrombus in neonates.