SUBCLAVIAN ARTERY ANEURYSMS - A REPORT OF 2 CASES AND A REVIEW OF THELITERATURE

True aneurysm of the subclavian artery is extremely rare and atheroscl erosis is the most common cause. Syphilis, tuberculosis, and cystic me dial necrosis are less often the cause. Their exact prevalence in the general population is unknown. These aneurysms can rupture, thrombose, embolize or cause symptoms by local compression. in reviewing the lit erature the great latency of the disease, high complication rate at pr esentation and the significant incidence, concominant aneurysms elsewh ere are emphasized. Duplex scanning followed by angiography should be performed in order to establish the diagnosis and to plan the operatio n. Elective surgical treatment is associated with little risk to the p atient and avoids the need for emergency operations. Two cases of surg ically treated true subclavian aneurysms are presented with review of the English language literature on the subject.