Axillary Artery Injury with Intact Radial Pulse following Fracture-Dislocation of Shoulder: A Case Report

• Main Authors: Rajeev A, Timmons G
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Malaysian Orthopaedic Association 2019-11-01
• Series: Malaysian Orthopaedic Journal
• Subjects: axillary artery injury; intact radial pulse; shoulder dislocation
• Online Access: https://www.morthoj.org/2019/v13n3/axillary-artery-injury.pdf

The occurrence of axillary artery injury following proximal humerus fracture dislocation in elderly patient with low velocity fall is uncommon. The patient could have diverse clinical presentations in spite of intact peripheral pulses. We report the case of an 85-year-old lady who presented to our emergency department with greater tuberosity fracture of the humerus with dislocation of the right shoulder. After closed manipulative reduction of the dislocation, it was observed that the patient had brachial plexus palsy with intact radial pulse. An expanding swelling and bruise around the shoulder was noted and a steady drop in haemoglobin level. CT angiogram revealed avulsion of the posterior circumflex artery which was then treated successfully with stenting.