Venous Thoracic Outlet Syndrome in Three Greek Children: a Single-Centre Experience

Abstract

Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is underdiagnosed in children/adolescents. We describe three cases of children/adolescents with TOS diagnosed within one year in our Haemostasis and Thrombosis Unit: 1) a 14-year-old girl with sudden onset of left arm oedema- thrombosis of the left subclavian vein and filling defect in both subclavian veins due to an elongated C7 transverse process, 2) a 13-year-old swimming champion with sudden onset of right arm oedema and 3) an eight-year-old girl with left arm discomfort (already on anticoagulation due to cerebral sinovenous thrombosis) and complete outflow interruption of the left subclavian vein. All three girls have been on anticoagulation for 18, 6 and 4 months respectively without symptoms. Conclusion: These three cases underline physicians TOS awareness concluding in diagnosing in children/ adolescents and demonstrate a clinically satisfying outcome of pediatric TOS with initially conservative treatment, surgery planning and continuing follow-up.