aetiology
Last reviewed 01/2018
Axillary vein thrombosis commonly follows excessive use of the arm, especially above head level, for example, clearing a high shelf.
Less frequently, the vein is compressed by musculoskeletal abnormalities or enlarged lymph nodes.
It may also follow mastectomy, radiotherapy, or venous cannulation, or may result from underlying visceral malignancy or increased plasma viscosity in polycythaemia.