710 - ACE up Your Sleeve: A Visual Spoiler of the Axillary Artery Anatomy Before Adhesive Capsulitis Embolization

Monday, April 13, 2026

4:45 PM - 4:51 PM ET

Author/Co-author(s)

AM

Arif Musa, MD, M.S.

Chief Transitional Year Resident
ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital, United States

Abstract Presenter(s)

Hailey Carruthers, MD

Resident
Detroit Medical Center, United States

Author/Co-author(s)

FK

Foaz Kayali, MD, PhD

Director of Clinical Research
Detroit Medical Center / Wayne State University School of Medicine, United States
GB

Garrett Barfoot, MD, MS

Transitional Year Resident
Detroit Medical Center / Wayne State University, United States
JK

John P. Karns, DO

Intervention Radiology Resident
University of Texas Health San Antonio, United States
ZH

Zain S. Hussain, MD

Medical Student
University of Medicine and Health Sciences, United States
NL

Nicholas A. Lewis, MD

Assistant Professor of Radiology
Detroit Medical Center / Wayne State University & University of Southern California, United States
BM

Brandon Mansoor, MD

Attending Radiologist
Detroit Medical Center / Wayne State University School of Medicine, United States
AH

Ali Harb, M.D.

Diagnostic Radiology Residency Program Director
Wayne State University School of Medicine Department of Radiology, United States

Learning Objectives: The purpose of this abstract is to review the pertinent angiographic anatomy of the axillary artery and its branches in the setting of adhesive capsulitis to aid interventional radiologists with accurate selection of arterial branches prior to embolization.

Background: Adhesive capsulitis embolization (ACE) of the branches of axillary artery is a rapidly evolving minimally invasive treatment for "frozen shoulder" via occlusion of neovasculature. However, the axillary artery often demonstrates highly variable branching patterns, which can prove challenging to identify and select with a microcatheter. Furthermore, detailed descriptions and angiographic images of the axillary artery remain scarce in the literature.

Clinical Findings/Procedure Details: The classic pattern of branching of the axillary artery is shown: the first part of the axillary artery gives rise to the superior thoracic artery, the second part to the thoracoacromial and lateral thoracic arteries, and the third part to the subscapular, anterior circumflex humeral, and posterior circumflex humeral arteries. Commonly encountered variations in branching are described including variants seen with the lateral thoracic and posterior circumflex humeral arteries. Examples of the "tumor blush" like appearance of neovasculature are provided.

Conclusion and/or Teaching Points: Neovascularization in the setting of adhesive capsulitis has prompted development of embolization procedures. However, accurate identification and selection of branches of the axillary artery is imperative for technical success, effective treatment, and avoidance of adverse events such as non-target embolization.