Obui-himo syndrome.

Normal variants of the venous system are relatively common and rarely cause severe symptoms. We report the case of a 5-month-old baby who displayed cyanotic color and swelling of arms whenever she was carried on the mother's back with a special band "Obui-himo". It was demonstrated by venography that the symptoms were caused by the absence of a cephalic vein and compression of axillary veins with the Obui-himo. In any country with a custom similar to the Obui-himo, these symptoms, if clinically encountered, are an indication that venography should be performed.