Thoracic outlet syndrome [TOS]: Clinical, radiological and electrophysiological study

ABSTRACT

This study included 28 patients with the clinical evidences suggestive of TOS. The age of patients ranged from 17 years to 42 years. Males constitutes 46.4% of the cases. All cases demonstrated sensorimotor deficits with predominance of the sensory manifestations. Radiological evidences of bony cervical rib were encountered in eight cases and in two of them, there is bilaterality. All cases, demonstrated significant prolongation of the averaged F. loop latency [Av FLL] of the ulnar nerve. In 15 patients, the shortest axillary F. loop latency [Ax FLL] of the ulnar N was normal, meanwhile the Av FLL was significantly prolonged. A positive correlation between median Av FLL and that of ulnar in all cases, there is significant reduction of ulnar evoked compound action potentials [ulnar CAP]. Abnormal electromyographic changes were detected in 42.8% of the cases