Overview:
Thoracic outlet syndrome results when there is compression of the neurovascular structures that are located in the neck. These neurovascular structures include the brachial plexus, subclavian artery, and subclavian vein.
Symptoms:
Symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome include shoulder or arm pain, paresthesias and varying degrees of muscle weakness. Other symptoms that result from vascular compression include claudication or ischemic tissue loss.
Areas of Compression:
Three areas of neurovascular compression in thoracic outlet syndrome are as follows:
1)Between the middle and anterior scalene muscles
2)Between the clavicle and the first rib
3)Between the pectoralis minor muscle and the rib cage
1)Between the middle and anterior scalene muscles
2)Between the clavicle and the first rib
3)Between the pectoralis minor muscle and the rib cage
