Difficult diagnosis of a neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome and review of the current literature (original) (raw)
Related papers
Neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome associated with cervical rib
Acta reumatológica portuguesa
A true neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) associated with a cervical rib is considered extremely rare. The authors present their experience with 5 cases of true neurogenic TOS associated with a cervical rib. All patients were female and had a cervical rib confirmed radiographically pre-operatively. Average age was 34,8 years. Although all patients had been treated with several combinations of diverse drugs and a rehabilitation program before referral to surgery, all described their pain as intense and debilitating before surgical treatment. All patients had pre-operative electromyographic abnormalities. Patients were operated on via a supraclavicular approach and the cervical rib was resected. No intra-operative or postoperative complications were noted. Two years postoperatively, all patients mentioned improvement. However, only 2 were symptomless, and on no medication. In one patient there was significant improvement, and in the remaining 2 patients some residual pain persi...
Neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome: Are anatomical anomalies significant?
South African Journal of Surgery, 2015
Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is controversial in terms of definition, anatomy, aetiology and treatment. The definition of TOS is generally accepted as 'upper extremity symptoms due to compression of the neurovascular bundle in the area of the neck just above the first rib'. [1] The thoracic outlet, also known as the cervicothoracobrachial junction, consists of three important compartments through which vital structures such as nerves and blood vessels run. These compartments are the interscalene space, the costoclavicular space and the retropectoralis minor space. Neurogenic TOS, resulting from nerve compression, is the most common pathology, accounting for >95% of TOS cases. [1] The majority of cases result from anatomical distortion at the interscalene triangle. [2] For various reasons, the described anatomical spaces transform and evolve into 'entrapment spaces'. The aetiology of this is largely unclear, but it is thought that changes may be congenital or acquired, and that these alterations involve either the bony structures or the soft tissues. [1,2] The observation of anatomical anomalies, especially of the brachial plexus, initiated this study. The aetiology of neurogenic TOS is multifactorial, with bony tissue abnormalities and soft-tissue abnormalities described as definite contributors to the syndrome. These abnormalities contribute to the syndrome by altering the space within which the brachial plexus trunks run. Brachial plexus anomalies, however, have not classically been described in direct association with TOS. Recent interest in brachial plexus anomalies suggests them as a cause for various pathologies, including TOS. [3] We hypothesised that brachial plexus anomalies, alone or in conjunction with additional pathology, are almost always associated with neurogenic TOS. The objective of this study was to attempt to clearly define anatomical anomalies causing TOS. Methods The study design is a retrospective review from a prospectively maintained computer database of patients presenting with TOS, over a 10-year period. From the computer database, the records of all patients with TOS were scrutinised, and information regarding their preoperative symptoms, investigations, operative surgery and clinical outcomes documented. The neurological presentation of pain, paraesthesia, weakness, wasting of the hand muscles and the segmental distribution in conjunction with the clinical investigations (including the elevated arm stress test), investigations (a chest radiograph, magnetic
Proposed Pathogenesis for a Subgroup of Patients with Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Journal of Clinical Surgery and Research
Most patients with Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS) have upper extremity pain and paresthesia with normal neurologic examination and objective tests. The purpose of this study was to determine the pathologic nature of the resected first ribs in a subgroup of patients TOS who experienced resolution of symptoms postoperatively. Methods: In a retrospective study, we compared normal human cadaver first ribs (control, C) with first ribs from patients with proven NTOS (N). Ribs were examined for anatomic features. Preoperative and postoperative dynamic Magnetic Resonance Angiograms (MRA) of the affected and contralateral upper extremities were examined. Results: There were 41 first ribs from patients with DNTOS and 12 normal first ribs from human cadavers. In all patients (100%) with DNTOS there was a bony tubercle which corresponded to the area of subclavian vein groove in the normal ribs. Conclusion: A bony tubercle at the site of the subclavian vein groove in patients with DNT...
True Neurological Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: 10 Cases
Journal of the Peripheral Nervous System, 2008
In this study, differences of unmyelinated nerve fiber density in sural nerve biopsy material from patients suffering from neuropathies of unknown origin with (n ϭ 14) or without pain (n ϭ 13) were analyzed. Immunocytochemistry was applied to differentiate afferent sensory and efferent sympathetic nerve fibers. All patients were evaluated for deficits of small fiber function with thermotesting, quantitative sudomotor-axon reflextesting and testing of painfulness of mechanical stimuli before performing the biopsy. No difference was found between patients with and without pain concerning clinical deficits or results in any of the neurophysiological examinations. There were also no histopathological differences concerning the density of afferent C-fibers. However, absolute and relative density of efferent sympathetic nerve fibers was significantly higher in patients with painful neuropathy (P Ͻ 0.001), although none of the patients demonstrated clinical sympathetic abnormalities. We conclude that an imbalance between afferent and sympathetic nerve fiber density in the periphery may contribute to neuropathic pain even in those patients without obvious clinical autonomic disturbances.
Journal of Brachial Plexus and Peripheral Nerve Injury
Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is caused by compression of the brachial plexus and/or subclavian vessels as they pass through the cervicothoracobrachial region, exiting the chest. There are three main types of TOS: neurogenic TOS, arterial TOS, and venous TOS. Neurogenic TOS accounts for approximately 95% of all cases, and it is usually caused by physical trauma (posttraumatic etiology), chronic repetitive motion (functional etiology), or bone or muscle anomalies (congenital etiology). We present two cases in which neurogenic TOS was elicited by vascular compression of the inferior portion of the brachial plexus.
Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy, 2010
Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is a frequently overlooked peripheral nerve compression or tension event that creates difficulties for the clinician regarding diagnosis and management. Investigators have categorized this condition as vascular versus neurogenic, where vascular TOS can be subcategorized as either arterial or venous and neurogenic TOS can subcategorized as either true or disputed. The thoracic outlet anatomical container presents with several key regional components, each capable of compromising the neurovascular structures coursing within. Bony and soft tissue abnormalities, along with mechanical dysfunctions, may contribute to neurovascular compromise. Diagnosing TOS can be challenging because the symptoms vary greatly amongst patients with the disorder, thus lending to other conditions including a double crush syndrome. A careful history and thorough clinical examination are the most important components in establishing the diagnosis of TOS. Specific clinical tests, whose accuracy has been documented, can be used to support a clinical diagnosis, especially when a cluster of positive tests are witnessed.
Neurosurgery, 2022
BACKGROUND: Although numerous articles have been published not only on the classification of thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) but also on diagnostic standards, timing, and type of surgical intervention, there still remains some controversy because of the lack of level 1 evidence. So far, attempts to generate uniform reporting standards have not yielded conclusive results. OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the body of evidence and reach a consensus among neurosurgeons experienced in TOS regarding anatomy, diagnosis, and classification. METHODS: A systematic literature search on PubMed/MEDLINE was performed on February 13, 2021, yielding 2853 results. s were screened and classified. Recommendations were developed in a meeting held online on February 10, 2021, and refined according to the Delphi consensus method. RESULTS: Six randomized controlled trials (on surgical, conservative, and injection therapies), 4 “guideline” articles (on imaging and reporting standards), 5 observational st...
Thoracic outlet syndrome: wide literature for few cases. Status of the art
Neurological Sciences, 2016
Despite its low prevalence and incidence, considerable debate exists in the literature on thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS). From literature analysis on nerve entrapments, we realized that TOS is the second most commonly published entrapment syndrome in the literature (after carpal tunnel syndrome) and that it is even more reported than ulnar neuropathy at elbow, which, instead, is very frequent. Despite the large amount of articles, there is still controversy regarding its classification, clinical picture, diagnostic objective findings, diagnostic modalities, therapeutical strategies and outcomes. While some experts believe that TOS is underrated, overlooked and very frequent, others even doubt its existence as a nosological entity. In the attempt to shed more light on this condition, we performed a systematic review of the literature and report evidence and opinions around this controversial subject. Only articles focused on neurogenic TOS were considered. Understanding the status of the art and the underlying reasons of doubts and weaknesses could help clinical practice and set the stage for future research.
A rare cause of thoracic outlet syndrome
Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, 2007
First rib pathology can narrow the thoracic outlet thus producing compression of the brachial plexus and subclavian vessels. There have been only three case reports of neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) caused by a nonunion of the Wrst rib and there have been no reports of a Wrst rib malunion causing TOS. A rare case of TOS caused by a malunion of the Wrst rib is presented.