Ruptured aneurysm of the subclavian artery in a patient with von Recklinghausen's disease.

A vascular manifestation of von Recklinghausen's disease is rare, but may be fatal if it is disrupted. A 39-year-old male with von Recklinghausen's disease presented with a large and tender bruise extending from his left neck to his left shoulder and arm. Computerized axial tomography revealed a ruptured aneurysm of the left subclavian artery. The patient underwent emergency surgery to exclude the aneurysm, and cross-over bypass grafting of both subclavian arteries was performed. We present a brief review of vascular maintestation of von Recklinghausen's disease, as well as a discussion regarding the strategy for treating this rare presentation.