ISCHEMIA OF THE INDEX FINGER AND THUMB SECONDARY TO THROMBOSIS OF THERADIAL ARTERY IN THE ANATOMICAL SNUFFBOX

We report on nine patients who presented with spontaneous ischaemia of the index finger and thumb over an 11 year period. Arteriography reve aled thrombosis of the radial artery in the region of the anatomical s nuffbox with evidence of digital artery embolization in each. None had suffered direct trauma to the area or had a demonstrable proximal sou rce for thrombus. While the cause of radial artery thrombosis in our p atients is not entirely clear, local inflammation and/or systemic dise ase may predispose to this entity.