Occupational trauma to the ulnar artery.

Thrombosis or aneurysm of the ulnar artery after occupational trauma to the hand is not uncommon. A series of 14 patients with such lesions, diagnosed by arteriography, has been documented. It is concluded that in patients with pain along the ulnar side of the hand after an injury the absence of vascular signs does not exclude injury to the ulnar artery, and arteriography should be carried out to exclude not only an ulnar artery thrombosis but also an aneurysm which may cause symptoms by pressure on the ulnar nerve or by digital embolism.