Additional vascular compression of the brachial plexus in a cadaver with a cervical rib: case illustration.

Cervical ribs are uncommon and occur in approximately 0.5-1% of the population. The authors describe a cadaver found to have a cervical rib with further compression by the dorsal scapular artery. This vessel originated from the third portion of the subclavian artery. No other anomalies were found in this specimen. The authors speculate that some cases of symptomatic cervical rib may have an additional vector of compression from a dorsal scapular artery when it arises from the third portion of the subclavian artery. Additional studies aimed at the vascular system may be useful in diagnosis and operative planning for symptomatic patients.