Spontaneus rupture of the left venous angle aneurysm - a case report

Abstract

Introduction. Upper extremity venous aneurysms and aneurysms of the neck are rare, unlike the lower extremity venous aneurysms. Only a few cases of upper extremity venous aneurysms have been described in the literature. The aim of the study was to find the best way to treat upper extremity venous aneurysms and the aneurysms of the neck region. Case Report. A 40-year-old female patient reported to the Emergency Center due to the swelling in the supraclavicular region. Color Doppler ultrasonography was performed and a saccular subclavian aneurysm was found, at the junction with the internal jugular vein, with signs of rupture presenting with locoregional hematoma spillage measuring 19 x 13 mm. Complete laboratory tests were performed, followed by computed tomography phlebography, where a partially thrombosed aneurysm was described in the angle between the internal jugular vein and subclavian vein, with a maximum diameter of 25 mm. The patient was hospitalized and treated conservatively. Six days after the onset of symptoms, magnetic resonance phlebography was performed, which did not show the previously described aneurysm of the left venous angle. Three months after the onset of symptoms, a control magnetic resonance phlebography was performed, which showed an aneurysm in the region of the junction of the left internal jugular vein and subclavian vein again, with a maximum diameter of 20 x 13 mm. Conclusion. Clinical examination and color Doppler ultrasound should certainly be the first-line of diagnosis, while magnetic resonance phlebography and computed tomography phlebography are the gold standard for aneurysm monitoring. Asymptomatic aneurysms and aneurysms with mild symptoms are best treated conservatively.