Venous and Arterial Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Requiring Surgical Intervention: Two Case Reports

Abstract

Background: Thoracic outlet syndrome represents a spectrum of diseases depending on the structures involved. Most cases of thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) are neurogenic while arterial and venous TOS constitute only 5% of the cases. Paget-Schroetter syndrome represents an acute complication of venous thoracic outlet syndrome (vTOS) commonly occurring in physically active individuals participating in strenuous upper body exercises. Arterial thoracic outlet syndrome (aTOS) is usually associated with bony abnormalities. We discuss one patient of each type who presented with acute thrombosis to illustrate the different associated factors and treatment options. Case Report(s): An 18-year-old Hispanic male presented with six days of left upper extremity (LUE) edema and pain that began following an upper body exercise. He was treated by pharmacomechanical thrombectomy followed by ultrasound assisted catheter-directed thrombolysis. Subsequently the patient underwent trans axillary surgical decompression of the thoracic outlet. A 59-year-old South Asian woman presented with worsening LUE pain, weakness and paresthesia of 10 days duration. She underwent pharmacomechanical thrombectomy with angioplasty followed by supraclavicular thoracic outlet decompression. Conclusions: Treatment of TOS presenting with thrombosis should consist of prompt thrombectomy followed by surgical decompression.