The thoracic outlet syndrome as a cause of aneurysm formation, thrombosis, and embolization.

The thoracic outlet syndrome may have a serious vascular component consisting of subclavian artery aneurysm with possible thrombosis and embolization which can result in severe ischemic symptoms in the upper extremity, gangrene, amputation, and even hemiplegia. Four cases of subclavian artery aneurysm in association with thoracic outlet syndrome are presented. Two of the patients required surgical intervention because of thrombosis and embolization, while the other two had prophylactic surgical procedure to prevent those complications.