Abstract
A volleyball player who complained of right upper extremity ischemia caused by embolism from the injured thrombotic posterior circumflex humeral artery (PCHA) is presented. The patient was a 28-year-old man who suffered from ischemic symptoms in the right hand and fingers. Plethysmography showed flat waves in all the right fingers, and arteriography revealed thrombotic occlusion of the PCHA at its origin, and re-visualization of its peripheral branches through a collateral network. Based on these findings, a diagnosis of thrombotic occlusion of the PCHA resulted from chronic injury caused by repeated powerful motion like throwing movement of the right upper extremity, and distal embolism from the PCHA was established. To prevent recurrence, ligation of the root of the PCHA was successfully performed. If athletes complain of upper extremity ischemia, urgent angiography should be performed for early diagnosis and proper treatment to prevent further progression of the ischemia.
