AXILLARY VEIN THROMBOSIS

AXILLARY VEIN THROMBOSIS

Thrombosis of the axillary vein (Paget–Schrotter disease) may occur following excessive exercise in a patient with an anatomically abnormal thoracic outlet, but is also associated - with excessive muscle bulk as found in weight lifters. The vein may be compressed by a cervical rib if this is present early stage, the thrombus can be disrupted by thrombolysis delivered through one of the arm veins. The vein must then be imaged to see if there is any compression on elevation of the arm. If this is confirmed, thoracic outlet decompression can be carried out by resecting the cervical rib or first rib.