Thoracic outlet and pectoralis minor syndromes

Abstract

Compression of the neurovascular bundle to the upper extremity can occur above or below the clavicle; thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is above the clavicle and pectoralis minor syndrome is below. More than 90% of cases involve the brachial plexus, 5% involve venous obstruction, and 1% are associate with arterial obstruction. The clinical presentation, including symptoms, physical examination, pathology, etiology, and treatment differences among neurogenic, venous, and arterial TOS syndromes. This review details the diagnostic testing required to differentiate among the associated conditions and recommends appropriate medical or surgical treatment for each compression syndrome. The long-term outcomes of patients with TOS and pectoralis minor syndrome also vary and depend on duration of symptoms before initiation of physical therapy and surgical intervention. Overall, it can be expected that >80% of patients with these compression syndromes can experience functional improvement of their upper extremity; higher for arterial and venous TOS than for neurogenic compression.