Axillary artery transection and bilateral pulmonary embolism after anterior shoulder dislocation: case report.

INTRODUCTION

Anterior shoulder dislocation can be associated with vascular and neurological complications. However, axillary artery injury associated with shoulder dislocation is rare and extremely rare without bone fracture. An early diagnosis of these complications allows predicting long-term functional outcomes.

METHODS

This article reports the case of a 66-year-old patient who presented an anterior shoulder dislocation after a ski fall without any neurological dysfunction or pulse deficit.

RESULTS

The first reduction attempts were unsuccessful and during the new attempt, we observed a hematoma. A CT scan showed a disruption of the axillary artery and a bilateral pulmonary embolism.

CONCLUSION

Neurovascular injury must be systematically sought before and after reduction, and a multidisciplinary approach is always necessary.