Shoulder disorders or complaints are very common in a sports medicine practice. An unusual cause that can require a high index of suspicion is thoracic outlet syndrome. Thoracic outlet syndrome, otherwise known as TOS, constitutes a group of disorders that results in compression of the neurovascular bundle exiting the anatomic thoracic outlet. Around 90-95 percent of thoracic outlet syndrome is caused by nerve compression or neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome. The other roughly five to ten percent of cases is caused by compression of either arteries or veins, or vascular thoracic outlet syndrome. It can affect both the athletic population and the general population, but is more common in occupations that require manual labor or repetitive lifting motions (1).
The thoracic outlet is an anatomical area in the lower neck and is defined by three spaces between the clavicle and first rib in which several neurovascular structures pass. These structures include the brachial plexus, subclavian artery and subclavian vein. The first or most proximal is the interscalene triangle, which is bordered by the scalenes and the first rib inferiorly. The trunks of the brachial plexus and subclavian artery are located in this triangle. The second, the costoclavicular triangle is bordered anteriorly by the middle third of the clavicle, posteromedially by the first rib, and posterolaterally by the upper border of the scapula. The third narrow area is the subcoracoid space beneath the coracoid process, also known as the pectoralis minor space (1).
Diagnostic criteria of post-traumatic TOS are the pathogenic mechanism and the onset of symptoms within the first two years. Functional or acquired cases can also occur. Upper limb dysfunction or muscle imbalance of the neck and shoulder region can cause hypertrophic or abnormal scalene muscles. The factors involved in the pathogenesis of these cases include overuse and physical and mental stress phenomena (4). One final cause would be malignancy or mass causing compression. Pancoast tumors, or superior pulmonary sulcus tumors, can invade and compress the brachial plexus (5). Others may be due to benign tumors or osteochondromas (6).
Mechanical compression and repetitive injury of the vein below the clavicle and first rib can lead to stagnation and effort thrombosis (7). This typically presents with acute upper extremity swelling, cyanosis, heaviness and pain. Intermittent claudication without thrombosis or due to positional obstruction is called McCleery syndrome. It can present with similar symptoms with periodic arm swelling and discomfort. In the largest series of vascular TOS to date with 626 extremities, Ursehel and Patel reported patients most commonly present with visible collateral veins around the shoulder (99%), followed by arm swelling (96%), bluish discoloration (94%), aching pain with exercise (33%), and cervical ribs (10%). Only 4% of the patients presented with minimal symptoms (8).
Arterial TOS typically occurs within the scalene triangle, but also can occur under the pectoralis minor. The compression incites intimal damage in the arteries, causes turbulent blood flow and vessel dilation. This damage eventually leads to thrombosis and distal embolization that may result in acute upper extremity ischemia. Arterial signs consist of ischemia on effort of the upper limb or positional vasomotor disorders (1). Patients may present initially with a dull ache, numbness or discomfort in the upper extremity that tends to be worse with activity and improves with rest. It is similar to claudication most people associate with lower extremity pain during walking. As this issue progresses, cyanosis, pallor and coolness can occur in upper extremity. Patients may also complain of easy fatigue or a “dead arm” sensation. It is rare to have weakness or sensory deficit (9). More serious presenting symptoms include cerebrovascular accident, acute hand and or digital ischemia.
Physical examination can be helpful with diagnosis. The cervical spine, shoulder and upper extremity should be thoroughly examined. Head and neck posture should be noted and extremities should be compared. Some signs of observation include skin color, temperature and hair distribution. Blood pressure reading in arms can be affected and have large differences of more than 20 mm Hg. The shoulder and chest may have edema in vascular TOS, while there may be signs of pallor with arterial TOS. There may also be supraclavicular fullness or aneurismal pulsations (10).
The upper limb tension test or Elvey test occurs in three positions. Position one occurs with the arms abducted to 90 degrees with elbows flexed, position two has the patient actively dorsiflex both wrists and position three has the patient tilt their head ear to shoulder in both directions. A positive test occurs when positions one and two elicit symptoms on the ipsilateral side, while position 3 can elicit symptoms on the contralateral side. One study compared the Adson and Roos test and showed a specificity of 76 and 30 percent, respectively, when used alone. The specificity was increased to 82 percent when both were positive (11).
Many providers start with a cervical x-ray to rule out cervical first ribs, prominent ribs or transverse processes, fracture calluses and compressive tumors can sometimes be seen. The prior gold standard for thoracic TOS was arteriography and venography (catheter based), but these have been replaced by less invasive methods and methods that assess the surrounding structures (1). Ultrasound maintains high sensitivity and specificity and is noninvasive and inexpensive. It is typically the first test used for imaging of suspected thoracic TOS. Moreover, DUS has the advantage of assessing dynamic blood flow during compression maneuvers (hyperabduction), with a decrease in arterial diameter, changes in peak velocity or reproducible symptoms considered to be diagnostic of TOS. CT or MR angiography can differentiate equivocal cases or provide additional anatomical detail (12). It can be performed in different positions as well, such as neutral and arm abduction.
In patients with symptoms greater than 6 weeks (chronic) with evidence of stenosis or occlusion, surgical decompression is typically performed with preoperative thrombolysis in patients with total occlusion. Venoplasty may be performed for residual subclavian stenosis. In patients with intermittent obstruction, patient may try conservative measures such as limiting provocative positions. In many patients, surgical decompression without anticoagulation or venoplasty is performed. More recently, less invasive options such as robotic and thoracoscopic assisted approaches are being used with minimal brachial plexus manipulation (1,13).
There is debate whether a scalenectomy alone is as effective as first rib resection (14,15). THe next step in management for these patients is arterial resection of any source of arterial embolus such as a subclavian artery aneursym or luminal stenosis with intimal damage. This is done to prevent ischemic complications of the upper extremity. Digital revascularization is the last step with vascular reconstruction in the form of primary anastomosis, interposition graft, or axillary-brachial bypass depending on extent of the subclavian artery resection. If distal embolus is presents, intraarterial thrombolysis or thromboembolectomy may be used in conjunction with arterial reconstruction to improve outflow of the limb (16).
In conclusion, vascular thoracic outlet syndrome, which accounts for less than 10 percent of thoracic outlet cases, is an uncommon diagnosis that can lead to significant morbidity and disability. Fibromuscular abnormalities are the most common cause of diagnosis, but other bony anatomical anomalies are sometimes ruled out first. Venous thoracic outlet syndrome is most commonly caused by occlusion or thrombus is the subclavian vein that is related to repetitive activity with the upper extremity. Catheter based thrombolysis, thoracic outlet decompression with first rib resection and anticoagulation are first line treatment. Arterial thoracic outlet syndrome is rare and managed similarly to venous TOS if symptomatic, but can possibly be managed nonoperatively if asymptomatic. Providers must have a high index of suspicion, especially for individuals aged 15-45 with repetitive upper extremity motions.
