Evaluation of Patients with Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Nikhil Panda; Dean M Donahue

doi:10.1016/j.thorsurg.2020.09.005

Evaluation of Patients with Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Thorac Surg Clin. 2021 Feb;31(1):55-59. doi: 10.1016/j.thorsurg.2020.09.005.

Authors

Nikhil Panda¹, Dean M Donahue²

Affiliations

¹ Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, GRB-425, Boston, MA 02114, USA. Electronic address: https://twitter.com/NikhilPanda_MD.
² Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Founders 7, Boston, MA 02114, USA. Electronic address: ddonahue@mgh.harvard.edu.

PMID: 33220771
DOI: 10.1016/j.thorsurg.2020.09.005

Abstract

Neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome (NTOS) results from the compression or irritation of the brachial plexus within the thoracic outlet. The associated symptoms result in significant disability and negative effects on patient health-related quality of life. The diagnosis of NTOS, despite being the most common type of TOS, remains challenging for surgeons, in part due to the nonspecific symptoms and lack of definitive diagnostic testing. In this article, we present the essential components of the evaluation of patients with NTOS including a thorough history and physical examination, stress maneuvers, diagnostic and therapeutic imaging, and assessment of disability using standardized patient-centered instruments.

Keywords: Diagnosis; Health-related quality of life; Neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome; Stress maneuvers.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Brachial Plexus
Humans
Quality of Life
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome* / diagnosis
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome* / surgery