This 2015 JAAOS narrative review by Kuhn et al covers thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) comprehensively — anatomy, etiology, clinical subtypes, diagnostic workup, and surgical approaches — addressing how to evaluate and manage a condition with no confirmatory diagnostic test.
When a young patient presents with nonradicular upper extremity paresthesias, neck pain, and positional symptoms that don't fit carpal tunnel or cervical radiculopathy, put TOS on your differential and work through a structured clinical exam — no imaging or electrodiagnostic test will confirm it for you.
Combine provocative tests for better specificity, and refer vascular TOS promptly given the risk of subclavian thrombosis or arterial embolic events.
This 2015 JAAOS narrative review by Kuhn et al covers thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) comprehensively — anatomy, etiology, clinical subtypes, diagnostic workup, and surgical approaches — addressing how to evaluate and manage a condition with no confirmatory diagnostic test.
When a young patient presents with nonradicular upper extremity paresthesias, neck pain, and positional symptoms that don't fit carpal tunnel or cervical radiculopathy, put TOS on your differential and work through a structured clinical exam — no imaging or electrodiagnostic test will confirm it for you.
Combine provocative tests for better specificity, and refer vascular TOS promptly given the risk of subclavian thrombosis or arterial embolic events.