VASCULAR COMPLICATIONS OF CERVICAL RIBS

Summary 1. Six cases of subclavian artery aneurysms associated with cervical ribs are reported. 2. The natural history of progression from a fusiform dilatation to a grossly abnormal vessel liable to massive or mural thrombosis with embolization is described. 3. For those cases with thrombosis and significant ischaemia, aneurysmal formation of great size or fragility, containing mural thrombosis with embolization, it is recommended that the segment should be resected and a graft inserted. 4. A method of graft insertion without resection of the clavicle is described.