A CASE OF AXILLARY ARTERIAL ANEURYSM ASSOSIATED WITH BUERGER'S DISEASE

Abstract

A 62-year-old man was admitted to the hospital because of a right axillary pulsatile mass and intermittent claudication of the left lower extremity and right arm. Since his right lower extremity had been amputated above the knee for aggravated Buerger's disease, he was obliged to walk on crutch when his body weight was rested on the right axilla. The large pulsatile mass, 60×30mm in size, was diagnosed as the axillary arterial aneurysm by angiographic study. The aneurysm was excised and replaced by a saphenous vein graft. Histological examination of the excised specimen disclosed no specific findings to Buerger's disease. Postoperative course was uneventful and the patient recovered his daily activities. The axillary arterial aneurysm associated with Buerger's disease is quite rare. A probable cause of this aneurysm can be thought that chronic blunt trauma to the right axilla by the crutch may affect the regional weakened arterial wall due to Buerger's disease.