We report the unique case of a 14-year-old male with axillary artery pseudo-aneurysm associated with brachial plexus compression after a simple shoulder dislocation. Following shoulder reduction under anaesthetic, the child was discharged on chemical deep vein thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis. However, progressive shoulder swelling and upper limb neurological symptoms developed. A multi-disciplinary approach was taken to diagnose and treat this complication. After stopping the anti-coagulants, a combination of endovascular stent-graft and open surgical decompression of the brachial plexus was employed. Paediatric guidelines on DVT prophylaxis are scarce but DVT has never been reported in children following upper limb trauma.
Keywords: brachial plexus palsy; chemical thrombo-prophylaxis; paediatrics; pseudo-aneurysm; shoulder dislocation.