Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2019 Jun;8(1):5-18.
doi: 10.1007/s40122-019-0124-2. Epub 2019 Apr 29.

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

Mark R Jones  1 , Amit Prabhakar  2 , Omar Viswanath  3   4   5 , Ivan Urits  6 , Jeremy B Green  7 , Julia B Kendrick  7 , Andrew J Brunk  7 , Matthew R Eng  7 , Vwaire Orhurhu  6 , Elyse M Cornett  8 , Alan D Kaye  7
Affiliations
Review

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

Mark R Jones et al. Pain Ther. 2019 Jun.

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.

Keywords: Brachial plexus; Neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome; Subclavian vein; Thoracic outlet syndrome.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Thoracic outlet and relevant anatomy
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Aljabri B, Al-Omran M. Surgical management of vascular thoracic outlet syndrome: a teaching hospital experience. Ann Vasc Dis. 2013;6(1):74–79. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Laulan J, Fouquet B, Rodaix C, Jauffret P, Roquelaure Y, Descatha A. Thoracic outlet syndrome: definition, aetiological factors, diagnosis, management and occupational impact. J Occup Rehabil. 2011;21(3):366–373. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Freischlag J, Orion K. Understanding thoracic outlet syndrome. Scientifica (Cairo). 2014;2014:1–6. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Citisli V. Assessment of diagnosis and treatment of thoracic outlet syndrome, an important reason of pain in upper extremity, based on literature. J Pain Relief. 2015;04(02):1–7.
    1. Maru S, Dosluoglu H, Dryjski M, Cherr G, Curl GR, Harris LM. Thoracic outlet syndrome in children and young adults. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg. 2009;38(5):560–564. - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources