[Síndrome de Paget-Schrötter: presentación de cuatro casos]. / Paget-Schrötter syndrome: description of four cases.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of the upper limb is a rare entity, estimated to account for 10% of all cases of DVT. Classically, they are classified into primary (idiopathic, due to subclavian vein compression or exercise related) and secondary (cancer, thrombophilia, trauma, shoulder surgery, associated to venous catheters or due to hormonal causes). The Paget- Schrötter syndrome is a primary thrombosis of the subclavian vein in the subclavian-axillary junction, related either to repetitive movements or to exercise; leading to microtrauma in the endothelium with consequent activation of the coagulation cascade. Clinically, it presents abruptly with pain, edema and feeling of heaviness in the affected limb. The treatment varies from thrombolytics and anticoagulation to surgical intervention, depending on the time of evolution. We present four cases of exercise-related subclavian vein thrombosis.

Síndrome de Paget-Schrötter: presentación de cuatro casos / Paget-Schrötter syndrome: presentation of four cases

La trombosis venosa profunda (TVP) del miembro superior es una entidad poco frecuente, se estima que representa el 10% de todos los casos de TVP. Clásicamente se clasifican en primarias (idiopáticas, por compresión de la vena subclavia o relacionadas con el ejercicio) y secundarias (cáncer, trombofilia, traumatismo, cirugía del hombro, asociadas a catéteres venosos o de causa hormonal). El síndrome de Paget- Schrötter es una trombosis primaria de la vena subclavia en la unión subclavio-axilar, ya sea por movimientos repetitivos o relacionada al ejercicio; llevando a microtrauma en el endotelio con la consiguiente activación de la cascada de coagulación. Clínicamente se presenta de forma brusca con dolor, edema y sensación de pesadez en el miembro afectado. El tratamiento varía desde trombolíticos y anticoagulación a la intervención quirúrgica, dependiendo del tiempo de evolución. Presentamos cuatro casos de trombosis de vena subclavia relacionada con el ejercicio.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of the upper limb is a rare entity, estimated to account for 10% of all cases of DVT. Classically, they are classified into primary (idiopathic, due to subclavian vein compression or exercise related) and secondary (cancer, thrombophilia, trauma, shoulder surgery, associated to venous catheters or due to hormonal causes). The Paget- Schrötter syndrome is a primary thrombosis of the subclavian vein in the subclavian-axillary junction, related either to repetitive movements or to exercise; leading to microtrauma in the endothelium with consequent activation of the coagulation cascade. Clinically, it presents abruptly with pain, edema and feeling of heaviness in the affected limb. The treatment varies from thrombolytics and anticoagulation to surgical intervention, depending on the time of evolution. We present four cases of exercise-related subclavian vein thrombosis.

Venous anomalies of the axilla: a single-institution experience.

AIM: Surgical treatment is still the cornerstone in the treatment of breast cancer, a very common neoplasia, particularly affecting the female elderly population. Axillary dissection is crucial in the treatment of some tumours, but variations in axillary vessels anatomy are poorly described in standard anatomy and surgical textbook. We aimed to describe anatomical variations in axillary vessels found in our institutional experience. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective 3-year study was conducted in our institution from January 2012 to December 2014. Sixty-one consecutive axillary lymph node dissections (ALNDs) were performed in 61 patients who underwent surgery for stage II and III invasive breast cancer. Anatomical details of axillary vascular anatomy and its variations have been evaluated, described and stored in a prospective database. RESULTS: Sixty-one ALNDs have been performed in the study period. The anatomy of lateral thoracic vein, angular vein and axillary vein was studied and compared with standard anatomical description. Eighteen percentage of venous variations were found out of the 61 dissection performed. CONCLUSIONS: Vascular anatomy of axilla is complex and variable. A better knowledge of all possible variations might be helpful in preventing injuries during ALND.

Diagnosis and treatment of effort-induced thrombosis of the axillary subclavian vein due to venous thoracic outlet syndrome.

Venous thoracic outlet syndrome (VTOS) is uncommon but most frequently occurs in young, active, healthy patients. This condition typically presents as subclavian vein (SCV) effort thrombosis, also known as Paget-Schroetter syndrome. The pathophysiology underlying VTOS is chronic repetitive compression injury of the SCV in the costoclavicular space, resulting in progressive venous scarring, focal stenosis, and eventual thrombosis. Clinical evaluation includes a history and physical examination followed by catheter-based venography, for definitive confirmation of the diagnosis and initial treatment with pharmacomechanical thrombolysis. After restoration of SCV patency, patients are maintained with anticoagulation and surgical therapy is usually planned within 4 to 6 weeks. Surgical management of VTOS can be accomplished via different protocols involving either the transaxillary, infraclavicular or paraclavicular approaches to thoracic outlet decompression. The paraclavicular approach is emphasized in this review, because it affords the surgeon the ability to safely perform complete thoracic outlet decompression (complete anterior and middle scalenectomy, removal of the entire first rib, and resection of the subclavius muscle and costoclavicular ligament), along with definitive management of the damaged SCV (external venolysis, intraoperative venography, and direct vein reconstruction, if needed, using patch angioplasty or bypass grafting), in one operative setting. After surgical therapy, interval anticoagulation and a comprehensive physical therapy and rehabilitation program are important in achieving a return to full function. Current protocols on the basis of the paraclavicular surgical approach have thereby routinely provided patients with lasting symptomatic relief, freedom from indefinite anticoagulation, and the ability to return to unrestricted upper extremity activity.

Focal myositis presenting as pseudothrombophlebitis of the arm.

We described a 21-year-old woman with a diagnosis of Sjögren syndrome that came for consultation with a localized mass over her left arm of fast growth. Lab results were normal; a Doppler ultrasound showed the presence of partial thrombosis in the left axillary vein; a magnetic resonance imaging showed edema on the biceps muscle and the biopsy of the mass disclosed the presence of severe lymphocyte infiltrate within the connective tissue and scarce muscle fibers. Immunostaining showed positive results for antígeno comun leucocitario in spanish (leukocyte common antigen) (ACL) and CD3. Those results are consistent with the diagnosis of focal myositis. The patient was treated with low doses of prednisone and methotrexate, with good response.

[Venous and lymphatic alterations in women with lymphedema after axillary lymphadenectomy in breast cancer treatment]. / Alterações venosas e linfáticas em mulheres com linfedema após linfadenectomia axilar no tratamento do câncer de mama.

PURPOSE: To evaluate changes in the venous axillary-subclavian and lymphatic systems of women with lymphedema after axillary lymphadenectomy for breast cancer treatment. METHODS: This was a case series involving 11 women with unilateral upper limb lymphedema after axillary lymphedenectomy for the treatment of breast cancer. The study was carried out in the Mastology Program of the Clinical Hospital of the Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO, during the period between March 2010 and March 2011. Doppler velocimetry ultrasonography was used to detect the presence of venous changes in the subclavian and axillary veins. Lymphatic changes were evaluated by lymphoscintigraphy in both upper limbs. Fisher's exact test was used for the comparison between limbs. RESULTS: Subclavian vein flow volume in the upper limb with lymphedema was significantly different from that in the contralateral limb (p<0.001), 54.6% of the women had increased flow. In the axillary vein, 45.4% had increased flow and 45.4% had decreased flow, with a statistically significant difference (p<0.01) between limbs. Compared to the contralateral limb, significant lymphatic changes (p<0.05) were also found in the vessel route (not visualized), number of lymphatic vessels (none), axillary lymph nodes (absent) and dermal reflux (present). In the contralateral upper limb without lymphedema, no venous or lymphatic alterations were encountered. CONCLUSION: The women subjected to axillary lymphadenectomy for the treatment of breast cancer presented both venous and lymphatic changes in the upper limb with lymphedema.

Alterações venosas e linfáticas em mulheres com linfedema após linfadenectomia axilar no tratamento do câncer de mama / Venous and lymphatic alterations in women with lymphedema after axillary lymphadenectomy in breast cancer treatment

OBJETIVO: Avaliar as alterações do sistema venoso axilo-subclávio e do sistema linfático em mulheres com linfedema após linfadenectomia axilar para o tratamento do câncer de mama. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo de série de casos, envolvendo 11 mulheres com linfedema unilateral de membro superior após linfadenectomia axilar para o tratamento do câncer de mama. O estudo foi realizado em hospital universitário do Brasil Central no período compreendido entre os meses de março de 2010 e março de 2011. Avaliou-se a presença de alterações venosas nas veias subclávia e axilar, por meio do exame de ultrassonografia com dopplervelocimetria, e de alterações linfáticas, pela linfocintilografia, em ambos os membros superiores. O teste Exato de Fisher foi utilizado na comparação entre os membros. RESULTADOS: No membro superior com linfedema, detectou-se diferença significativa na veia subclávia, em relação ao membro contralateral, quanto ao volume do fluxo (p<0,001), sendo que 54,6% das mulheres apresentaram fluxo aumentado. Já, na veia axilar, 45,4% apresentaram fluxo aumentado e 45,4% reduzido, com diferença significante (p<0,01) na comparação entre os membros. Também foram observadas alterações linfáticas significativas (p<0,05), em relação ao membro contralateral, representadas pelo trajeto do vaso (não visibilizado), número de vasos linfáticos (nenhum), linfonodos axilares (ausentes) e refluxo dérmico (presente). No membro superior contralateral sem linfedema, não foram encontradas alterações venosas ou linfáticas. CONCLUSÃO: As mulheres submetidas à linfadenectomia axilar para o tratamento do câncer de mama apresentam tanto alterações venosas quanto linfáticas no membro superior com linfedema.

PURPOSE: To evaluate changes in the venous axillary-subclavian and lymphatic systems of women with lymphedema after axillary lymphadenectomy for breast cancer treatment. METHODS: This was a case series involving 11 women with unilateral upper limb lymphedema after axillary lymphedenectomy for the treatment of breast cancer. The study was carried out in the Mastology Program of the Clinical Hospital of the Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO, during the period between March 2010 and March 2011. Doppler velocimetry ultrasonography was used to detect the presence of venous changes in the subclavian and axillary veins. Lymphatic changes were evaluated by lymphoscintigraphy in both upper limbs. Fisher's exact test was used for the comparison between limbs. RESULTS: Subclavian vein flow volume in the upper limb with lymphedema was significantly different from that in the contralateral limb (p<0.001), 54.6% of the women had increased flow. In the axillary vein, 45.4% had increased flow and 45.4% had decreased flow, with a statistically significant difference (p<0.01) between limbs. Compared to the contralateral limb, significant lymphatic changes (p<0.05) were also found in the vessel route (not visualized), number of lymphatic vessels (none), axillary lymph nodes (absent) and dermal reflux (present). In the contralateral upper limb without lymphedema, no venous or lymphatic alterations were encountered. CONCLUSION: The women subjected to axillary lymphadenectomy for the treatment of breast cancer presented both venous and lymphatic changes in the upper limb with lymphedema.

Estudo anatômico da veia braquial comum como via de drenagem colateral do membro superior / Anatomic study of the common brachial vein as a collateral drainage channel of the upper limb

CONTEXTO: Traumatismos ou tromboses que possam evoluir com alterações da drenagem venosa do membro superior, dependendo do território interrompido, podem ter como mecanismo compensatório uma via colateral de drenagem sem que haja prejuízo para o retorno venoso desse membro. A veia braquial comum apresenta-se como uma alternativa plausível e pouco conhecida. OBJETIVO: Descrever a anatomia da veia braquial comum como via de drenagem colateral no membro superior. MÉTODOS: Utilizamos 30 cadáveres do sexo masculino, cujos membros superiores estavam articulados ao tronco, não importando a raça, formolizados e mantidos em conservação com solução de formol a 10 por cento. Utilizamos como critérios de exclusão cadáveres com um dos membros desarticulado ou alterações deformantes em topografia das estruturas estudadas. RESULTADOS: A veia braquial comum esteve presente em 73 por cento (22/30) dos cadáveres estudados, sendo que em 18 por cento (04/22) dos casos drenou para a veia basílica no seguimento proximal do braço e em 82 por cento (18/22), para a veia axilar. CONCLUSÃO: A veia braquial comum está frequentemente presente e, na maior parte das vezes, desemboca na veia axilar.

BACKGROUND: Trauma and thrombosis that can result in changes in the venous drainage of the upper limb, depending on the vascular territory interrupted, may have as a compensatory mechanism a collateral drainage channel that prevents damage to the venous return of that limb. The common brachial vein is a plausible and little known collateral channel for this purpose. OBJECTIVE: To describe the anatomy of the common brachial vein as a collateral drainage channel of the upper limb. METHODS: We have dissected 30 cadavers of people of different races, whose upper limbs were articulated to the trunk and preserved in a 10 percent formaldehyde solution. The exclusion criteria were disarticulated limbs or deformities in the topography of the studied structures. RESULTS: The common brachial vein was present in 73 percent (22/30) of the cadavers dissected. The common brachial vein drained into the axillary vein in 82 percent (18/22) and into the basilic vein in the proximal segment of the upper limb in 18 percent of the cadavers (04/22). CONCLUSION: The common brachial vein is frequently present, and, in most cases, it drains into the axillary vein.

Effects of Carnoy's solution on blood vessels of the axillary fossa of rats.

Carnoy's solution is applied to reduce the recurrence of odontogenic keratocysts and unicystic ameloblastomas. The deleterious action of this fixative on nerves has been studied but no attention has been paid to its effects on nearby vessels. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Carnoy's solution on blood vessels. The rat axillary artery and vein were surgically exposed, soaked with Carnoy's solution and kept in place for 2, 5 or 10 min, depending on the treatment group. The 5-min group was followed for 1, 2 and 3 weeks postoperatively. The vessels in the 2-min and 5-min exposure groups showed histological changes to the vessels, represented by focal loss of the endothelium and hyalinization of the wall. These alterations increased in the 10-min group. The vessels in the 3-week observation period revealed signs of recovery. It is concluded that Carnoy's solution can damage blood vessels but the process is reversible for exposure times less than 5 min.

Operating management of central venous hypertension complicating upper extremity dialysis access.

AIM: To evaluate the importance of surgical bypass between the terminal part of functional arteriovenous shunt (av) for hemodialysis on upper extremity and inner jugular vein in axillosubclavian venous segment obstruction associated with central venous hypertension. METHOD: Retrospective assessment of surgical bypass between central segments of av fistula and ipsilateral/contralateral inner jugular vein using ePTFE graft in 17 patients over a 20 year period (1987-2006). RESULTS: The surgical procedure was not associated with intra- or post-operative complications. Primary cumulative bypass and av fistula function persisted for 26 months on average. CONCLUSION: An accurate bypass to salvage the functional dialysis access associated with central venous hypertension requires careful decision based on clinical and radiological examination. The bypass procedure is beneficial where endovascular treatment is not indicated. Clinical and radiological bypass monitoring is crucial.

Exercise-induced deep vein thrombosis of the upper extremity. 2. A case series in children.

Upper-extremity deep venous thrombosis (UEDVT) is an increasingly important clinical problem in children. These events are classified as primary or secondary, with the latter being the most common and usually associated with the presence of a central venous line. Among primary UEDVT, the so-called Paget-Schroetter syndrome, effort-related or exercise-induced upper-extremity thrombotic event represents an extremely rare finding that has never been described in a pediatric series. The objective of the second part of this two-part article is to report the first pediatric series in a group of adolescents with this condition from a single center, describing their clinical features, management, and outcome. A retrospective chart review of 6 patients seen between December 2003 and April 2005 was conducted, with a median follow-up of 9 months (range 2-17). Four females and two males, all Caucasian, were enrolled with a median age of 16 years (range 14-17). In all cases, strenuous exercise was present in the month preceding diagnosis and mild trauma was present in only one case (weight lifting). At presentation, all patients had objective swelling of the affected limb for a median of 4 days (range 2-14), and 4 patients had UEDVT of the dominant arm. Thrombophilia investigation revealed that 50% had a combined prothrombotic state at presentation, and all patients were/are being treated with anticoagulation for 6 months (low-molecular-weight heparin followed by warfarin). Continuation of the initial symptoms was present in all cases but one at the 3-month clinic follow-up (last case has yet to reach 3 months of follow-up), and residual moderate to severe postthrombotic syndrome was present in all 3 cases followed for more than 12 months. Of those 3 patients followed for more than 1 year, 2 patients recurred despite having complete resolution of the thrombus after 6 months of anticoagulation, and the third patient underwent surgery with clinical improvement. Adolescents with UEDVT treated only with anticoagulation seem to have a poor outcome.

Combined upper and lower extremity deep venous thrombosis.

In order to elucidate the natural history of upper extremity deep venous thrombosis (UEDVT), we compared the morbidity and mortality of patients with UEDVT and that of patients with both UEDVT and lower extremity deep venous thrombosis (LEDVT). Between 1993 and 1996, 21 patients presented to our institution with both LEDVT and UEDVT (Group 1). During the same time period, 144 patients were diagnosed with UEDVT alone (Group 2). The diagnosis was confirmed by duplex scanning in all patients. In Group 1, there were 14 females (67%) and 7 males (23%) with ages ranging from 25 to 97 yr old [mean 73 yr old +/-17 yr (SD)]. In Group 2, there were 84 females (58%) and 60 males (42%) with ages ranging from 9 to 101 yr old [mean 67 yr old +/-17 yr (SD)]. Differences in age and sex between the two groups were not statistically significant. In Group 1, systemic anticoagulation was implemented in 17 patients (81%). Two patients (9.5%) required placement of a SVC and IVC filters due to contraindication to anticoagulation. One patient did not receive anticoagulation, and one patient was only started on aspirin. In Group 2, treatment consisted of systemic anticoagulation in 94 patients (65%). The remainder of the patients were treated with aspirin in three patients (2%) or no anticoagulation in 31 patients (19%). Sixteen patients (11%) underwent placement of a SVC filter either due to failure of anticoagulation to prevent pulmonary embolism (two patients) or contraindication to anticoagulation (14 patients). Pulmonary emboli were documented by ventilation/perfusion lung scan in two patients (9.5%) in Group 1 and in 16 patients (11%) in Group 2. In the first group, 8 of the 21 patients (38%) were dead within 1 month of the diagnosis of UEDVT, and 11 of 21 patients (52%) were dead within 2 months of the diagnosis of UEDVT. In the second group, 20 of 144 patients (14%) were dead within 1 month of the diagnosis of UEDVT and 38 of 144 patients (26%) were dead within 2 months of diagnosis (P<0.02). Our data suggest that patients with both UEDVT and LEDVT have a higher mortality than patients with UEDVT alone. As the risk for pulmonary embolism is similar in both groups, we speculate that the severity of medical illness in patients with both UEDVT and LEDVT may contribute to the higher mortality. This is the first study to examine the mortality of this group of patients.

Trombosis venosa profunda del miembro superior / Deep venous thrombosis of upper extremity

Aunque los fenómenos trombóticos venosos profundos de los miembros superiores ocupan menos del 5 por ciento de todas las trombosis venosas profundas, recientemente en nuestra práctica clínica hemos observado un incremento de estos casos, principalmente asociados al empleo de catéteres venosos centrales, razón por la cual decidimos hacer una revisión del tema y de la casuística de los autores.

Primary axillary venous aneurysm.

We operated upon an 18-year-old female presenting a spontaneous aneurysm of the axillary vein. Pathologic examination of the aneurysm showed an anomalous muscular layer. To our knowledge, this is the first case of nontraumatic axillary venous aneurysm.

Anatomical variants during axillary dissection.

BACKGROUND: This study was done to document the variations encountered in the anatomy of the axilla because of the difficulty they can cause during dissection. METHODS: A record was made of the anatomy of the axilla in 100 patients with breast cancer who had an axillary dissection. RESULTS: The variants from the described normal included double axillary veins, abnormal bands of muscle from the latissimus dorsi stretching across the axilla and a medial lying thoracodorsal nerve. CONCLUSION: Damage to important structures in the axilla during axillary dissection can be minimized with an awareness of the possible anatomical variations.

Upper limb venous gangrene, a lethal condition.

Venous gangrene of the upper extremity is rare. It was the mode of presentation in a 41-year-old woman who died 10 days later of heart failure due to acute myocardial infarction. There is evidence from this and previous publications that patients with this condition tend to have characteristics in common. Most have either advanced malignant disease or seriously impaired myocardial function and venous gangrene usually occurs as a pre-terminal event. Treatment should be directed primarily at the underlying illness but there may be a case for early amputation if permitted by the general condition of the patient.

Histopathological changes in venous grafts and in varicose and non-varicose veins.

AIMS: To examine veins histologically from different sites in the body to study the effect of venous pressure; and to examine veins used as aortocoronary grafts. METHODS: The axillary vein, femoral vein at the inguinal ligament, the short saphenous vein at the knee and the long saphenous vein at the ankle were removed from 24 necropsy cases of patients aged 2 months to 80 years. Fifteen varicose saphenous veins and 12 aortocoronary grafts removed at surgery were obtained. All were examined histologically. RESULTS: Varying degrees of intimal thickening composed of collagen, elastin, and smooth muscle were found. These changes were most noticeable in the varicose veins. Intimal changes were also seen related to valves and to adjacent arteries. No clinically relevant lipid was seen in the native veins, though atheromatous changes were seen in the grafts. CONCLUSIONS: Venous changes are related to venous pressure, to local haemodynamic effects, and probably to hypoxia. The changes are often focal and seem to be sequential in their formation. True atheroma is seen in the aortocoronary grafts but is not seen in native veins and this may be the result of additional factors.