Axillary vein compression by Langer's axillary arch, an aberrant muscle bundle of the latissimus dorsi.

BACKGROUND: Axillary vein compression is an important differential diagnosis in swelling of the upper extremities besides deep venous thrombosis. CASE REPORT: We present a rare case of axillary vein compression in a 17-year-old female with intermittent swelling and pain of the left arm due to an aberrant muscle bundle of the left latissimus dorsi. After resection of this bundle, which corresponded to Langer's axillary arch, the swelling and pain on the left arm resolved completely. CONCLUSION: In symptomatic patients with axillary vein compression due to Langer's axillary arch, a resection of the muscle bundle is an effective way of treatment.

Endovascular treatment of mycotic aortic pseudoaneurysms with stent-grafts.

Mycotic aortic aneurysms remain a therapeutic challenge, especially in patients who are not suitable for open surgery. Endovascular treatment with stent-grafts in this indication is still disputed. Between January 2002 and January 2006, six patients with mycotic aneurysms of the thoracoabdominal or abdominal aorta were admitted to our department. All patients were male, aged 57-83 years (mean, 74.6 years). The mycotic aneurysms were diagnosed on the basis of clinical signs of infection, on CT, and, in four cases, on a positive blood culture. In all patients the mycotic aortic aneurysms were treated endovascularly by stent-graft implantation. Technical and clinical success was achieved in all patients. There was no in-hospital or 30-day mortality. In the follow-up period (range, 2-47 months) four patients died of cancer, cardiac failure, or unknown cause (one case). Two patients are still alive with nearly complete regression of the aneurysms. We conclude that treatment of mycotic aortic aneurysms with stent-grafts may be an alternative in selected patients.

Left subclavian artery management in endovascular repair of thoracic aortic aneurysms and aortic dissections.

PURPOSE: The purpose is to report our experience and revise our previously published results in endovascular repair of short-necked thoracic aortic aneurysms or aortic type B dissections, in which the left subclavian artery (LSA) was occluded by the stent graft intentionally. METHODS: Seven patients with an aortic type B dissection and three patients who had a thoracic aortic aneurysm were treated endovascularly with stent grafts. In all patients the ostium of the LSA was occluded by the stent graft, only in two patients a primary, prophylactic revascularization of the LSA was performed by transposition to the left common carotid artery (LCA). Two types of stent grafts were used: the Talent (Medtronic) and the Excluder (Gore) stent graft. RESULTS: In all patients the sealing of the entry tear in aortic dissections and the exclusion of existing thoracic aortic aneurysms were achieved. No immediate neurological deficit or left arm ischemia occurred. Nevertheless, during a mean follow-up of 18 months (2 to 31 months) in three patients a second surgical intervention had to be performed due to subclavian steal syndrome, left arm ischemia, or continuing perfusion of the dissected false aortic channel. CONCLUSION: Intentional occlusion of the LSA in stent-graft repair of thoracic aortic diseases seems to be a safe procedure. Close follow-up is needed due to arising subclavian steal syndrome, arm ischemia, or persistent perfusion of the false channel via LSA in aortic dissections after patients' discharge, requiring surgical intervention.