Case Series of Subclavian Artery Aneurysms in the Noninvasive Vascular Laboratory

Abstract

Introduction

Subclavian artery aneurysm (SAA) is an uncommon entity, and there is little information in the vascular ultrasound literature regarding this disorder.

Methods

Query of a single-center noninvasive vascular laboratory database for all duplex examinations performed from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2009 with a diagnosis of SAA. Medical records, archived ultrasound images, and correlative imaging studies were reviewed.

Result

A total of 12 patients with SAA were identified. Median age 56 years (range, 24–86 years), 58% male. The etiology of SAA was as follows: atherosclerosis (3/12), thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS; 3/12), connective tissue disorder (3/12), trauma (2/12), and vasculitis (1/12). All patients with SAA not caused by TOS had additional peripheral arterial or aortic aneurysm(s) previously or subsequently documented on imaging studies. Ten patients had symptoms at the time of diagnosis, most commonly arm and neck pain, arm claudication, and neurological findings. Aneurysms were equally distributed between right and left sides. The majority of SAA (9/12) were located at the origin or proximal subclavian artery; 3 were dissecting aneurysms. The median aneurysm maximal diameter was 2.35 cm (range, 1.5–6.4 cm), and the median contiguous normal artery diameter was 0.85 cm. Three patients had significant velocity shifts noted within the aneurysm. Vertebral artery flow was abnormal in one-third of SAA (4/12). Marked tortuosity of either internal carotid artery was a common related finding among these patients (6/12). Correlative computed tomography scan was available for 5 patients. A total of 75% of subjects in this series underwent open or endovascular aneurysm repair, whereas the remaining patients were followed with no intervention.

Conclusion

Duplex ultrasound is a useful tool for diagnosis and characterization of subclavian artery aneurysms. Among patients with SAA who have no evidence of TOS, careful evaluation for co-existent aortic and peripheral aneurysms is critical.