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Chapter 20 - Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

from Part V - Extremities

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 December 2023

By
Nazir Noor  and
Alan D. Kaye
Edited by
Omar Viswanath  and
Ivan Urits
Omar Viswanath
Affiliation:
Creighton University, Omaha
Ivan Urits
Affiliation:
Southcoast Brain & Spine Center, Wareham
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Summary

Thoracic outlet syndrome is a collection of conditions that lead to the compression of the nerves and blood vessels in the thoracic outlet area. Symptoms such as pain, numbness, weakness, and discoloration may occur depending on the specific structures affected. There is currently no agreed-upon diagnostic criteria, but a detailed patient history, physical examination, and appropriate imaging tests can help with diagnosis. The first-line treatment for thoracic outlet syndrome usually involves conservative measures like physical therapy, lifestyle changes, medications such as NSAIDs and injections like botulinum toxin A, steroids, and local anesthetics. If conservative treatments fail, surgical decompression may be considered. This chapter aims to provide a review of the epidemiology, causes, anatomy, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of thoracic outlet syndrome.

Keywords

thoracic outlet syndromenumbnesspainrange of motionneurologicvascular
Type
Chapter
Information
Cambridge Handbook of Pain Medicine , pp. 157 - 163
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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References

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