We reported an extremely rare case of intermittent subclavian vein occlusion following a fracture of the middle third of the left clavicle.
The patient is a 56-year-old female, who was initially treated conservatively by figureof-8 cast, but immediately cyanotic appearance, prominent edema and pain of the entire left upper extremity appeared only when the left upper extremity was dropped. The radial pulse was full and bounding. There was no neurological deficit at the left upper extremity.
An impingement on the subclavian vein between the fractured clavicle and the first rib was suspected and confirmed by a phlebogram.
A satisfactory result followed treatment by open reduction and immobilization.