Clavicular Nonunion Associated With Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Treated With Knowles Pin Fixation, Autogenous Bone Marrow Graft, and Autologous Fibrin Clots

Two cases of brachial plexus compression secondary to displaced clavicle fractures

Brachial plexus compression is a rare complication of displaced clavicle fractures, with few reports existing in the literature. Neurologic symptoms can present immediately after the injury or in a delayed fashion months later. Following polytrauma, two patients presented with displaced middle-third left clavicle fractures initially treated conservatively at other institutions. Both patients developed neurologic symptoms in the left upper extremity consistent with brachial plexus compression. Magnetic resonance imaging and electrodiagnostic testing were used to help confirm the diagnosis of thoracic outlet syndrome/brachial plexopathy, and both patients underwent open reduction internal fixation with dual plating, local bone grafting and brachial plexus decompression. Both patients experienced successful relief of neurologic symptoms postoperatively. The purpose of this case series is to report on a rare complication of delayed- and non-united clavicle fractures and describe successful treatment with a novel fracture fixation construct.

Late onset venous thoracic outlet syndrome following clavicle non-union fracture: A case report

A 59-year-old woman was admitted three times over a six-month period with recurrent upper extremity deep venous thrombosis (UEDVT). It was determined that this patient was suffering from an unusual presentation of Paget-Schröetter syndrome secondary to a 20-year-old non-union of a midshaft clavicle fracture. Following thrombolysis the patient underwent resection and plate fixation of the clavicle fracture non-union. Despite the anatomic proximity of the subclavian vessels to the clavicle, vascular complications from fracture are rare. Treatment of midshaft clavicle fractures is often non-operative. Non-union rates are generally less than 10%, and easily treated secondarily without complication. Clavicular pseudo-arthroses from trauma have been implicated in the development of the thoracic outlet syndromes, however, onset 20 years after fracture has never before been reported.