Radial nerve compression by a large cephalic vein aneurysm: case report.

A 43-year-old man had weakness of the extensor muscles in the right forearm and could not extend the right wrist. The apparent disorder was caused by radial nerve compression by a large aneurysm in the cephalic vein in the antecubital fossa. Surgical resection of the aneurysm resolved the symptoms. This exceedingly rare complication of venous aneurysm is discussed. Venous aneurysm should be included in the differential diagnosis of a subcutaneous mass, and diagnosis is best made with Duplex ultrasound scanning. Surgical excision is the appropriate treatment.