Subclavian and axillary vein compression of musculoskeletal origin

Twenty instances of subclavian-axillary vein compression of musculoskeletal origin in 14 patients are reported. In 9 thrombosis had occurred and in the remainder the compression was intermittent. The cause appeared to be extraluminar factors such as the subclavius muscle, the scalenus anterior, the pectoralis minor and a malunited fracture of the clavicle. Ten cases were treated surgically with satisfactory results.