Inconspicuous suprascapular arteriovenous malformation causing suprascapular nerve entrapment: Unique case report

Abstract

Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are congenital high-flow vascular malformations and are generally diagnosed when they cause localized swelling, pulsatility, or skin changes. AVMs only manifest themselves when they are sufficiently large. We present a case of a young woman presenting with nonspecific pain over the posterior aspect of the left shoulder that was found to be due to suprascapular nerve entrapment caused by an unremarkable AVM. Entrapment of the suprascapular nerve as a cause of shoulder pain is in itself unusual. That being said, AVM is even rarer and uncommon as a cause of suprascapular nerve entrapment.

Keywords

• arteriovenous malformation
• suprascapular nerve entrapment
• vascular malformation