Atherosclerotic aneurysms of the subclavian artery.

The case reports of three adult men, in whom four atherosclerotic aneurysms of otherwise normal subclavian arteries were detected in the absence of thoracic outlet syndrome or a history of trauma, are detailed. Two patients complained of supraclavicular discomfort--one having a history suggestive of peripheral arterial emboli and the other was asymptomatic. These aneurysms can be resected safely using a supraclavicular incision with resection of the medial clavicle. In cases requiring more proximal arterial control, median sternotomy is advisable. Our one patient with bilateral atherosclerotic aneurysms appears to be the first such reported case in the surgical literature.