Axillary vein entrapment

Abstract

This paper describes a patient with right axillary vein obstruction resulting from compression of the vein due to anomalous muscle tissue extending from the latissimus dorsi muscle across the neurovascular bundle to the pectoralis major muscle. This 'axillopectoral muscle' causing entrapment of the axillary vein has been described in only a few cases. These previous reports are discussed, with special reference to the symptoms and phlebographic findings. The obstruction and the symptoms caused by it are intermittent; the phlebographic features are characteristic.