Combined subclavian artery and brachial plexus injury following blunt trauma to the shoulder

Combined subclavian artery and brachial plexus injury as a result of blunt trauma is a rare occurrence, but results in devastating functional disability of the upper limb. We present a patient with traumatic occlusion of the subclavian artery and concomitant brachial plexus root avulsion following a road traffic accident. Motorcyclists are in particular risk for this injury. We highlight the difficulty in diagnosis in the face of more obvious injuries, especially in the unconscious patient.