History and admission findings: A 48-year-old right handed gardener presented with a white discoloration and numbness of her left ring finger. She reported cutting her roses without protection gloves so repetitive scratchy lesions especially of her left hand occurred.
Investigations: On examination the pulse of the left radial artery was absent. Allen's test showed a dominant ulnar supply of the palmar arch. Duplex ultrasound demonstrated an occluded aneurysm of the distal portion of the left radial artery. Furthermore there were occlusions of the first and fourth digital artery on MR angiography probably due to distal emboli of the radial aneurysm.
Treatment and course: After exclusion of systemic disease or vasculitis, an repetitive trauma due to rose thorns was supposed to be the cause of the radial aneurysm. Anticoagulation therapy was initiated and infusion of prostaglanden E1 was performed over 7 days. The digital ischemia resolved within a few days. Therefore a surgical procedure was not recommended.
Conclusions: In the presence of a radial artery aneurysm an occupational and recreational trauma history should be sought after.