Neurologic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Research Articles

Diagnosis of Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Based on the Clinical Status

At our institute, we devised a clinical algorithm for diagnosis of neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS). Our approach assisted in the accurate diagnosis and in detection of patients likely to benefit from surgical treatment. The purposes of this study were to propose our diagnostic approach to neurogenic TOS, and to describe the outcomes of surgical and conservative treatment. Patients (n = 91) who were suspected to have neurogenic TOS, and therefore, underwent a routine clinical protocol from January 2012 to January 2018 were reviewed. Through the clinical protocol, diagnosis of "true neurologic TOS", "symptomatic TOS", and "not likely TOS" was made. The visual analog scale (VAS) pain score and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score were used to assess the treatment outcomes. Satisfaction with surgery was assessed according to the Derkash classification as excellent, good, fair, or poor. Among 91 patients with presumed neurogenic TOS, 25 patients were "true neurologic TOS", 61 patients were "symptomatic TOS", and five patients were "not likely TOS". Nineteen patients underwent supraclavicular decompression of the brachial plexus whose mean age at the time of surgery was 36.4 years. The VAS average pain score improved from 3.6 to 0.8, and the DASH score improved from 38.4 to 17.1. According to the Derkash classification, ten patients (53%) rated their recovery as excellent, four (21%) as good, and five (26%) as fair. Sixty-seven patients underwent conservative treatment. At the last follow-up visit, their VAS and DASH score were 2.3 and 11.8, respectively. By using an algorithm, we diagnosed the patients suspected to have neurogenic TOS into three groups based on clinical status. We surgically treated 19 patients using supraclavicular approach, and achieved favorable outcomes.

Discovering Pathologies in the Anatomy Lab: The Case of Brachial Plexopathy Mimicking Neurological Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

CONTEXTWell-established human anatomy labs with access to expert faculty are exceedingly valuable tools to medical student education. In this manuscript, we detail an infero-lateral subclavicular lipoma which was discovered as a result of the utilization of both those labs and expert faculty. This lipoma may have caused brachial plexopathy or may serve as an unusual cause of neurologic thoracic outlet syndrome (NTOS) due to the location of the mass.EDUCATIONAL CASE PRESENTATIONDuring prosection of a donor in the human anatomy lab, a mass was discovered by a medical student. This medical student utilized the human anatomy lab faculty members and resources to identify the mass as a lipoma. The lipoma compressed the lateral cord of the brachial plexus and the suprascapular nerve, but no diagnosis of NTOS or brachial plexopathy was made during the life of the donor, nor was any surgical intervention indicated. Removal of the lipoma immediately relieved stress upon the nerves. Histochemical analysis confirmed the diagnosis of a lipoma and demonstrated almost only mature adipocytes.CONCLUSIONThe authors concluded that the lipoma of this patient was not identifiable with computerized tomography imaging modalities, despite ultrasound demonstrating a hyperechoic outline of the mass in the cadaver of the patient. It is very likely that this lipoma had not been diagnosed previously due to the atypical location of the tumor. Equally, typical surgical methods associated with brachial plexopathy or NTOS treatment would be difficult or more complicated, due to the lateral and inferior location of the lipoma. Physicians treating thoracic outlet syndrome-type symptoms without resolution should consider potential non-malignant obstruction located outside the thoracic outlet, toward the extremity. Deep palpatory methods and physical therapy should be considered until diagnosis is certain, as ultrasound would be difficult and typical transaxillary surgical methods would be nonhelpful. Medical students and early-career residents and physicians should be aware of the resources provided to them via campus human anatomy laboratories which they may utilize to further their understanding and knowledge of specific pathologies.

Neurologic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: A Case Report and Clinical Review

An avid weightlifter presented with complaints of right arm and hand numbness. His workup was consistent with neurologic thoracic outlet syndrome with severe conduction block at the level of the supraclavicular fossa. He chose conservative treatment, which focused on correction of thoracic and cervical segmental dysfunction, upper crossed syndrome muscle imbalances, and upper trunk and anterior forward head postural concerns. Upon completion of the therapy program and continuation of a home exercise program, his conduction block and symptoms resolved. Conservative treatment may be an effective alternative to surgery for neurologic thoracic outlet syndrome.

Magnetic resonance neurography‐surgical correlation of neurologic thoracic outlet syndrome

For evaluation of thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS), 3 Tesla magnetic resonance neurography (MRN) is being increasingly used. The authors report the findings on 3 T MRN with surgical correlation in a rare case of neurologic TOS caused by anomalous costal pseudoarthrosis.

Pearls: Neuromuscular Disorders

Various brief clinical observations helpful in the evaluation of patients with neuromuscular disorders are discussed and illustrated. These include features of focal neuropathies, including the neurologic thoracic outlet syndrome, apparent ulnar nerve-innervated hand weakness in radial neuropathies, scapula movement in long thoracic compared with spinal accessory neuropathies, and diaphragm paralysis in segmental zoster paresis. Potential diagnostic errors include multifocal motor neuropathy mistaken for nerve tumor, the pseudoconduction block of vasculitic neuropathy leading to a diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome, and leg paralysis in myelopathy mistaken for early ascending paralysis in Guillain-Barré syndrome. Very focal weakness of limb muscles occurs in myasthenia gravis, similar to the more familiar focal cranial muscle involvement. Fluctuation, not fatigability, in myasthenia gravis is discussed. The presentation of Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome as a nonfluctuating subacute myopathy is emphasized. Patterns of weakness in inclusion body myositis and facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy are illustrated.

Pediatric thoracic outlet syndrome: a disorder with serious vascular complications

Background Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS), caused by compression of the neurovascular structures between the clavicle and scalene muscles, typically presents with neurologic symptoms in adults. We reviewed our experience with 25 adolescents and propose a diagnostic/treatment algorithm for pediatric TOS. Methods From 1993 to 2005, 25 patients were treated with TOS. A retrospective chart review was performed with institutional review board approval. Demographics, clinical presentation, diagnostic studies, and treatment were evaluated. Results Seven male (28%) and 18 female (72%) patients presented between the ages of 12 to 18 years. Thirteen (52%) had vascular TOS (11 venous, 2 arterial), 11 (44%) had neurologic TOS, and 1 had both. Vascular TOS included subclavian vein thrombosis (7), venous impingement (4), and arterial impingement (2). Three patients had hypercoagulable disorders, and 6 had effort thrombosis. Venography was diagnostic in 10 cases. Neurogenic TOS was diagnosed by clinical symptoms. Five patients with subclavian vein thrombosis underwent thrombolysis, with 3 maintaining long-term patency. Of 25 patients, 24 underwent transaxillary first rib resection. Conclusion Vascular complications are more common in adolescents with TOS than in adults. A diagnostic/treatment algorithm includes urgent venography and thrombolysis for venous TOS and a workup for hypercoagulability. Neurogenic TOS is diagnosed clinically, whereas other studies are rarely beneficial.

Exercise-Induced Scalenus Syndrome

Background Thoracic outlet syndrome is described as a group of distinct disorders producing signs and symptoms attributed to compression of nerves and blood vessels in the thoracic outlet region. Purpose To describe the exercise-induced scalenus anticus syndrome attributed to the anterior scalenus hypertrophy as a thoracic outlet syndrome underlying mechanism and to give recommendations for a safe and effective surgical treatment. Study Design Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods Twelve young professional athletes admitted for thoracic outlet syndrome (8 cases of neurologic thoracic outlet syndrome, 4 cases of mixed neurologic and vascular thoracic outlet syndrome) who reported numbness, tingling, early fatigue, muscle weakness, and pain were enrolled in the study. Scalenus hypertrophy was suspected to be the causative factor. Scalenectomy was performed in all cases. Results All patients had moderate to severe hypertrophy of the anterior scalenus muscle. Scalenectomy was performed, and there were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. Full activity was quickly achieved, and no recurrence of symptoms was documented. Conclusion Surgical intervention for scalenus anticus syndrome can allow an athlete to return to full activity and improve quality of life. Surgical intervention seems to be the treatment of choice in terms of restoring quality of life and physical activity.

„True Neurologic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome“ - Anatomie und elektrophysiologischer Langzeitverlauf bei lateraler Thenaratrophie

Atrophies of the intrinsic muscles of the hand are considered to be a typical symptom of the "true neurologic" form of thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS). The classical form of this entity was described as early as 1970, consisting of a cervical rib or a prolonged transverse process of C7, complete with a fibrous band to the first thoracic rib, resulting in atrophy of the intrinsic muscles of the hand. All our TOS patients presenting with such atrophy displayed anatomical findings consistent with this definition. Based on this observation, the TOS classification currently in clinical use, which differentiates between "disputed" and "true neurologic" subgroups of the neurologic form, is reviewed. In all cases of "true neurologic TOS" with atrophy of the intrinsic muscles of the hand, the lateral thenar muscles are affected first. We present the electrophysiological long-term results of such thenar atrophies of seven patients with eight operated extremities after brachial plexus decompression. The amplitude of the neurographically measured potential over the opponens pollicis and the abductor pollicis brevis muscle, respectively, was defined as quantitative parameter for muscles atrophy. Neither distinct reinnervation nor progressive denervation was evident in any of the cases after a follow-up period, on average, of more than five years post surgery. These findings are in conflict with clinical observations reporting a major postoperative improvement of the motor deficits.

Compression and stretching of the brachial plexus in thoracic outlet syndrome: correlation between neuroradiographic findings and symptoms and signs produced by provocation manoeuvres

In order to investigate the mechanism of nerve irritation in thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS), we studied 150 patients who presented with symptoms of neurologic TOS between 1985 and 1999. They first performed various provocative physical manoeuvres and then underwent injection of contrast medium into the supraclavicular part of the brachial plexus. Several of the provocative manoeuvres were then repeated and radiographs were again obtained. Based on the neuroradiographs, we identified three subsets of patients; those with only compression (type 1 TOS, n=27, 18%), those with combined compression and stretching (type 2 TOS, n=111, 74%), and those with only stretching (type 3 TOS, n=12, 8%). We were able to correlate the neuroradiological subsets with symptoms elicited by pre-radiographic provocative manoeuvres; in 92 patients (61%) these were elicited by traction manoeuvres. We conclude that stretching is an important factor of nerve irritation in TOS.

Surgical treatment of thoracic outlet syndrome: effect and results of surgery

Background Because of the difficulty in diagnosis and different treatment options, debate on thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) has continued. Our aim is to report our surgical experience. Methods Forty-seven patients with thoracic outlet syndrome were operated on between 1985 and 2000. Mean age was 37.9 years (range, 17 to 58 years); female/male ratio was 41/6. The most frequent symptom was paresthesia (72.3%). Seventeen patients (36%) had bilateral symptoms. Of all, 89.3% (42 cases) were neurologic thoracic outlet syndrome, and 10.7% (five cases) were vascular. Lower plexus (C8-T1/ulnar nerve) compression was present in 36 patients and upper plexus (C5-C7/median nerve) compression in 6 patients. Doppler ultrasonography in 11 patients, angiography in 8, and lymph node scintigraphy in 1 patient were also performed. Main operative indications were persistence of symptoms after conservative therapy and reduced (< 60 m/s) ulnar nerve conduction velocity. Results Fifty-five operations were performed on the 47 patients. First (59.6%) and cervical costae (21.3%) resections were the most frequent operations. Mean ulnar nerve conduction velocity was 54.8 m/s (range, 43 to 68 m/s) preoperatively and 69.4 m/s (range, 47 to 70 m/s) postoperatively ( p < 0.05). The morbidity rate was 17% (8 of 47). No difference was observed between transaxillary and supraclavicular incisions. No brachial plexus injuries occurred. The most frequent cause of morbidity was incisional pain. Two reoperations were performed for recurrences. Follow-up was 4.6 years, and 75% of lower plexus and 50% of upper plexus compressions remained asymptomatic. Severe and long-term pain occurred in 1 patient. Conclusions Surgical decompression for thoracic outlet syndrome is efficient and dependable, but results deteriorate over time.

A comparison of surgery for neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome between laborers and nonlaborers

Objective: To determine factors of outcome following surgical intervention for neurologic thoracic outlet syndrome (NTOS). Methods: In a retrospective study of patients surgically treated for NTOS, outcome was evaluated by postoperative symptoms and the ability of patients to return to work. Results: Good, fair, and poor results were obtained in 26 (48%), 21 (39%), and 7 (13%) patients, respectively. The best predictor of a good outcome was occupation. Nonlaborers were more likely to have good outcome (21 of 32, 66%) when compared with laborers (5 of 22, 23%; P = 0.0025). Only 6 of 20 (30%) laborers were able to return to their original occupation compared with 17 of 26 (65%) nonlaborers ( P = 0.036). Conclusions: Laborers with NTOS are less likely to have a good result from surgical intervention, are unlikely to return to their original occupation, and may require retraining for a non-labor-intensive occupation if they cannot return to their original work.

Long-term follow-up after thoracic outlet decompression: An analysis of factors determining outcome

We reviewed our 12-year experience with transaxillary first rib resection in 136 patients screened by neurologists and thought to have neurologic thoracic outlet syndrome to determine what factors affected outcome. These patients represented 85% of the operative experience in a referral area of 1.2 million people. Patients were recalled every 2 years for surveillance. The mean follow-up was 60 +/- 7 months. There were no brachial plexus or vascular injuries. Secondary operations in the neck were required in 20 patients. The quality of the operative result was determined by whether the patient was able to return to preillness activities and whether the patient would undergo operation again if the same result would be obtained. The most important determinant of result was a history of trauma precipitating the neurologic symptoms, particularly in women. Only 25 of the 53 patients (47%) with a history of trauma returned to preillness activities compared to 65 of the 83 patients (78%) without such a history. Overall patient satisfaction was not affected by trauma. Thirty-eight of the 53 patients with trauma (72%) and 69 of the 83 patients (83%) without trauma were satisfied. When the men and women were analyzed separately men were found to have better results after trauma than did women. Other factors with a negative impact on operative results were the need to return to an activity that required repetitive arm movements, coverage under a worker's compensation insurance policy, and fixed joint abnormalities or neurologic findings in the upper extremity. The presence of an anatomic abnormality had no effect on operative results.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)