Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS)

• TOS is a group of signs and symptoms that result from compression of the neurovascular supply to the upper limb in the supraclavicular area and shoulder girdle.
• Synonyms: Scalene anticus syndrome; Costoclavicular syndrome; Hyperabduction syndrome; Cervical rib syndrome; Droopy shoulder syndrome

Epidemiology

• Cervical ribs
• Congenital fibrous bands
• Diabetes mellitus
• Thyroid disease
• Alcoholism
• Aggravating factors:
  • Obesity
  • Extremely large breasts in females
  • Emotional depression, causing patients to adopt a slumping posture
  • Repetitious overhead activity

• Frequently multifactorial and may be influenced by trauma, repetitious job activities, anatomic predisposing factors, and some systemic diseases (e.g., diabetes, thyroid disease)
• A job that requires continuous overhead activity (e.g., painting ceilings) may cause signs and symptoms of brachial plexus compression over a short period.
• A job that requires repetitive motions of the upper extremities, but in less extreme elevation (e.g., keyboard operator, truck driver), may cause similar symptoms, but over a period of years.

• CTS and cubital tunnel syndrome complaints:
  • It is believed that a nerve that has some degrees of compression in the neck is more sensitive to nerve compression problems at other points along its course, such as at the elbow or the wrist.
  • Thus, patients with TOS are more susceptible to developing CTS and cubital tunnel syndromes, and vice versa.
  • This phenomenon has been termed the “double crush syndrome.
• Patients with arthritis, diabetes mellitus, thyroid disease, and alcoholism have nerves with increased susceptibility to the development of superimposed nerve compression.

• Neural compression:
  • Patients may complain of pain in the neck or shoulder, and numbness and tingling involving entire upper limb or forearm and hand (Fig. 1).
    • The ulnar side of the limb and the 2 ulnar digits are involved predominantly, although the middle finger also may be included.
    • Sensory findings often are subtle, are usually on the ulnar aspect of the hand, and may include the medial aspect of the forearm.
  • Nocturnal pain and paresthesias are common and must be differentiated from symptoms caused by CTS, which commonly affects the radial side of the hand.
  • Frequently, patients experience difficulty in using the limb in an elevated, overhead position, such as when holding a hair dryer.
  • Some patients show a decline in the strength or dexterity of the hand, even without obvious atrophy.
  • Headache and pain in the arm, shoulder, neck, and chest may accompany any of these other complaints.
• Arterial compression:
  • Coolness
  • Weakness
  • Easy fatigability of the arm
  • Diffuse pain
  • Occasionally, Raynaud-like symptoms
• Venous compression:
  • May be intermittent or, less frequently, constant
  • Results in limb swelling
  • Varying degrees of cyanosis

    Fig. 1. In TOS, the brachial plexus or subclavian artery (left) may be compressed in the scalene triangle (right) or by an extra rib.

Tests

• Lesions of the cervical spine:
  • Degenerative disc disease
  • Cervical spondylosis
• Lesions compressing the brachial plexus (e.g., tumors of the apex of the lung)
• Trauma
• Compression of the peripheral nerves:
  • CTS (entrapment neuropathy of the median nerve)
  • Ulnar nerve compression or dislocation at the elbow
  • Compression of the radial or suprascapular nerves
• Neuropathies of alcoholism, heavy metal intoxication, avitaminosis, or diabetes mellitus
• Complex regional pain syndromes
• Arterial lesions:
  • Peripheral or coronary atherosclerosis
  • Aneurysm
  • Occlusive changes
  • Embolism
  • Raynaud disease
  • Vasculitis
• Venous lesions:
  • Effort vein thrombosis
  • Thrombophlebitis

• Nonoperative therapy is based on a stringent program of exercises to strengthen the muscles of the pectoral girdle.
• The goal is to augment the tone of the suspensory muscles of the AC joint so the costoclavicular space can remain wide.
• Patients must continue with the exercises until they have reversed the muscular atrophy and weakness and have developed an awareness of correct posture.
• If a carefully supervised exercise and postural program fails, and the patient has intractable pain, surgery may be indicated.
  • Surgery should be presented as an option only for those patients who believe that they cannot continue with the condition as it is and who understand the potential risks and benefits of the proposed procedure.
• Explanation of the pathologic process of TOS helps to alleviate a patient’s concerns and makes the patient more receptive when instructed to avoid certain activities and postures.
  • Specific contributory factors, such as repetitive elevated positioning of the arms at work, should be identified and, when possible, addressed.

• Scalenectomy or 1st rib resection, or some combination thereof, represents the most common surgical treatment for patients with TOS.
• A patient with an arterial or venous lesion may require vessel repair or grafting in addition to decompression.

• Nonoperative management is successful in most patients.
• With proper selection of patients for surgery, most improve.

• Pneumothorax
• Infection
• Vascular injury
• Injury to brachial plexus
• Shoulder girdle instability

• Follow the patient’s physical therapy progress.
• Postoperative disease recurrence is possible, secondary to scapular muscle weakness and an inability to support the shoulder girdle or inadequate release of the site of compression.

• Explain the pathogenesis of TOS to patients, because an understanding of the mechanism helps the patient recognize the need for modifying activities and postures that would narrow the thoracic outlet, such as overhead movements, hyperabduction of the arm, use of shoulder straps, and carrying heavy handbags.
• Attempts to alter the ergonomic characteristics of the job should be made, or a new job should be considered.

FAQ