Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: A Comprehensive Review of Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment.

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Mark R. Jones, Harvard Medical School; Amit Prabhakar, Emory University; Omar Viswanath, Valley Anesthesiology and Pain Consultants; Ivan Urits, Harvard Medical School; Jeremy B. Green, Louisiana State University; Julia B. Kendrick, Louisiana State University; Andrew J. Brunk, Louisiana State University; Matthew R. Eng, Louisiana State University; Vwaire Orhurhu, Harvard Medical School; Elyse M. Cornett, Louisiana State University; Alan D. Kaye, Louisiana State University
• Language: English
• Date: 2019-04-29
• Publisher: Springer (part of Springer Nature): Fully open access journals - CC BY-NC
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © The Author(s) 2019
• License: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s40122-019-0124-2
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Pain and Therapy
• ISSN: 2193-8237
• Volume: 8
• Issue: 1
• Start Page: 5
• End Page: 18
• Grant/Funding Information: No funding or sponsorship was received for this study or publication of this article.
• Keywords: Thoracic outlet syndrome; Brachial plexus; Neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome; Subclavian vein
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Pathology; Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery

Abstract

Thoracic outlet syndrome, a group of diverse disorders, is a collection of symptoms in the shoulder and upper extremity area that results in pain, numbness, and tingling. Identification of thoracic outlet syndrome is complex and a thorough clinical examination in addition to appropriate clinical testing can aide in diagnosis. Practitioners must consider the pathology of thoracic outlet syndrome in their differential diagnosis for shoulder and upper extremity pain symptoms so that patients are directed appropriately to timely therapeutic interventions. Patients with a definitive etiology who have failed conservative management are ideal candidates for surgical correction. This manuscript will discuss thoracic outlet syndrome, occurrence, physical presentation, clinical implications, diagnosis, and management.