[A case of treatment of the Paget-Schroetter syndrome with PTA and Gianturco' expandable metallic stent].

We report a effective management of the Paget-Schroetter syndrome. A 23-year-old man was seen with a complaint of arm swelling and venous engorgement of the left arm. A first-rib resection was performed through a infraclavicular approach with removal of compressive elements including scalenus anterior and subclavius muscles. He became asymptomatic. But 2 months later, recurrent symptoms developed and venograms demonstrated the presence of restenosis of the subclavian vein with extensive collaterals. To relieve symptoms a percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) and a insertion and placement of the Gianturco's expandable metallic stents was carried out for the remaining stenosis of the subclavicular vein and a residual compression. Venograms, 7 months after operation, showed widely the patent subclavian vein. Trans-infraclavicular approach allowed exposure of the stenotic or obstructed segments of the subclavian vein. The PTA and stenting, especially after removal of compressive elements or during chronic phase, was a very useful and effective procedure for the treatment of the Paget-Schroetter syndrome.