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Thoracic outlet syndrome - Symptom

Symptoms:

Symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome may include:

Pain, numbness, and tingling in the last three fingers and inner forearm
Pain and tingling in the neck and shoulders (carrying something heavy may make the pain worse)
Signs of poor circulation in the hand or forearm
Weakness of the muscles in the hand

Signs and tests:

When you lift something, the arm may appear pale due to pressure on the blood vessels. Rarely, the arm may be smaller on the side of the symptoms. This is often present since birth (a congenital anomaly).

The diagnosis is typically made after the doctor takes a careful history and performs a physical examination. Sometimes tests are done to confirm the diagnosis, including the following:

Tests should also be performed to make sure there are no other problems, such as carpal tunnel syndrome or a damaged nerve due to problems in the cervical (neck) spine.

Thoracic outlet anatomy

Reviewed last on: 1/12/2009
Robert A. Cowles, MD, Assistant Professor of Surgery, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Smythe WR, Reznik SI, Putnam Jr. JB. Lung (including pulmonary embolism and thoracic outlet syndrome). In: Townsend Jr. CM, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 59.

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