Thoracic outlet syndrome
- Symptoms occurring due to compression of structures like
- Brachial plexus (95% of cases)
- Subclavian vein (4% of cases)
- Subclavian artery (1% of cases)
- Caused by narrowing of the anatomical opening called “thoracic inlet”, “thoracic outlet” or “superior thoracic aperture”, which is a hole surrounded by
- Clavicula
- The first rib
- Scalenus anterior
- Scalenus medius
- If the thoracic outlet becomes narrower some or all of the neurovascular structures may be compressed
- Etiology
- Trauma
- Collarbone fracture
- Hypertrophy of scalenus muscles
- Pancoast tumor
- Congenital cervical (extra) rib
- Trauma
- Clinical features
- Neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome
- Due to compression of brachial plexus
- Pain, anaesthesia, paraesthesia in neck and arm
- Often in areas innervated by ulnar nerve
- Venous thoracic outlet syndrome
- Due to compression of subclavian vein
- Swelling
- Venous distension
- Venous thrombosis
- Arterial thoracic outlet syndrome
- Due to compression of subclavian artery
- 4 Ps
- Pulselessness (in the hand)
- Pain
- Pallor
- Paraesthesia
- Neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome
- Treatment
- Physical therapy
- In mild cases, can be enough
- Thoracic outlet decompression surgery
- Transaxillary resection of extra rib or first rib
- Angioplasty, if vessels are affected
- Physical therapy
- Cervical rib
- Some people have a congenital extra rib before the first rib called the cervical rib
- The first rib starts at Th1
- The cervical rib starts at C7
- This cervical rib compresses the thoracic outlet, causing TOS
- The treatment is surgical resection of the cervical rib
- Some people have a congenital extra rib before the first rib called the cervical rib