Poststenotic dilatation of the subclavian artery secondary to a cervical rib was first described by W. S. Halsted in 1916. To date, 31 cases of poststenotic aneurysm due to cervical rib have been reported. In a recent article, Steinberg stated that there is general agreement that removal of the obstructive elements by resection of the scalenus anticus muscle or cervical rib, or both, is usually curative in spite of the presence of an aneurysm. The case to be presented questions the validity of this assumption.
Report of Case
An 11-year-old white girl was admitted to the University Hospital on Nov. 24, 1944. Her chief complaint was pain, coldness, and blueness of the right hand. Five weeks prior to admission she had fallen over a bicycle and suffered a mild contusion of her right arm. Ten days prior to admission, symptoms typical of advanced Raynaud's phenomenon developed in the right hand.