Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Caused by Vascular Compression of the Brachial Plexus: A Report of Two Cases

Abstract

Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is caused by compression of the brachial plexus and/or subclavian vessels as they pass through the cervicothoracobrachial region, exiting the chest. There are three main types of TOS: neurogenic TOS, arterial TOS, and venous TOS. Neurogenic TOS accounts for approximately 95% of all cases, and it is usually caused by physical trauma (posttraumatic etiology), chronic repetitive motion (functional etiology), or bone or muscle anomalies (congenital etiology). We present two cases in which neurogenic TOS was elicited by vascular compression of the inferior portion of the brachial plexus.

Supraclavius muscle observed during anterior scalenectomy for thoracic outlet syndrome: A report of two cases and review of the literature

“…There have been multiple reports in the literature of anomalous muscles and other connective tissue structures described anatomically when performing surgical approaches for thoracic outlet syndrome. [ 2 - 4 , 6 , 7 , 9 - 11 , 13 , 14 , 16 ] Salehi et al . have described two cases of a supraclavius muscle anomaly and its anatomical relation to the thoracic outlet.…”

“…ere have been multiple reports in the literature of anomalous muscles and other connective tissue structures described anatomically when performing surgical approaches for thoracic outlet syndrome. [2][3][4]6,7,[9][10][11]13,14,16] Salehi et al have described two cases of a supraclavius muscle anomaly and its anatomical relation to the thoracic outlet. [15] Here, we report two additional cases of a supraclavius muscle anomaly encountered when performing an anterior scalenectomy through a supraclavicular approach for TOS.…”