Patterns of chronic ischaemia of the upper limbs in the central province of Sri Lanka

• Main Authors: P. C. A. Ratnatunga, P. B. Hewavithana, S. Rosairo, N. V. I. Ratnatunga
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: The Kandy Society of Medicine 2017-12-01
• Series: Sri Lanka Journal of Medicine
• Subjects: ischaemia, upper limb
• Online Access: https://sljm.sljol.info/articles/38

<p><strong>Introduction</strong>: A 30-year audit and management experience of chronic upper limb ischaemia  in the Central Province of Sri Lanka is detailed. No previous Sri Lankan documentation on this topic exists.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Materials and Methods: </strong>Data collected prospectively from 1974 to 2004 using a standard protocol was analysed.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Patterns of chronic ischaemic disorders seen dominantly among the 290 patients included in the study were, Aortic Arch Syndrome caused by both atherosclerosis (n=11) and Takayasu’s aorto – arteritis (n=7), Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (n=6), occlusion of major arteries of  supply to the upper limb due to atherosclerosis (n=29), thromboangitis  obliterans  (n=188), giant cell arteritis (n=1), chronic arterial trauma (n= 2), chronic embolism (n= 3), haematological causes (n=4), Ergot induced vaso spasm (n=1), and vasculitides (n=38 ).Their management is detailed.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><strong>Discussion and conclusions: </strong>Knowing the Sri Lankan patterns will help local clinicians to expedite it’s differential diagnosis.