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Review
. 2024 Sep 1;10(9):1365-1378.
doi: 10.3390/tomography10090103.

Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approach to Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Stefania Rizzo  1   2 , Cammillo Talei Franzesi  3 , Andrea Cara  4 , Enrico Mario Cassina  4 , Lidia Libretti  4 , Emanuele Pirondini  4 , Federico Raveglia  4 , Antonio Tuoro  4 , Sara Vaquer  4 , Sara Degiovanni  4 , Erica Michela Cavalli  5 , Andrea Marchesi  5 , Alberto Froio  6   7 , Francesco Petrella  4
Affiliations
Review

Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approach to Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Stefania Rizzo et al. Tomography. .

Abstract

Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is a group of symptoms caused by the compression of neurovascular structures of the superior thoracic outlet. The knowledge of its clinical presentation with specific symptoms, as well as proper imaging examinations, ranging from plain radiographs to ultrasound, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, may help achieve a precise diagnosis. Once TOS is recognized, proper treatment may comprise a conservative or a surgical approach.

Keywords: CT; MRI; US; diagnosis; surgery; thoracic outlet syndrome; treatment.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
MRI disclosing left subclavian vein stenosis (white arrow) after ipsilateral arm abduction.
Figure 2
Figure 2
CT scan disclosing left subclavian artery compression by complete supernumerary cervical rib (white arrow).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Intraoperative view of subclavian artery prosthetic reconstruction.
Figure 4
Figure 4
CT scan disclosing bilateral anterior scalene muscle hypertrophy (white arrows).
Figure 5
Figure 5
Intraoperative view of scalenotomy: upper blue vessel loop: superior trunk of the brachial plexus (C5 and C6 roots); yellow vessel loop: middle trunk of the brachial plexus (C7 root); red vessel loop: lower brachial plexus trunk (C8 and T1 roots).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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