What is vascular TOS?
Arterial thoracic outlet syndrome is a result of compression of the subclavian artery as it branches off of the aortic arch and travels, alongside the brachial plexus, between the anterior and middle scalene muscles, over the first rib and underneath the clavicle.
Is thoracic outlet syndrome venous or arterial?
Venous thoracic outlet syndrome (VTOS) is a compressed subclavian vein. Your subclavian vein carries blood from your arm to your heart. If you have VTOS, you may have arm swelling, discoloration or heaviness.
What causes vascular TOS?
Common causes of thoracic outlet syndrome include physical trauma from a car accident, repetitive injuries from job- or sports-related activities, certain anatomical defects (such as having an extra rib), and pregnancy. Sometimes doctors don’t know the cause of thoracic outlet syndrome.
What artery is affected in TOS?
Overview. Arterial thoracic outlet syndrome compresses the subclavian artery, blocking blood flow and allowing blood clots to form.
Does vascular TOS require surgery?
Surgery is usually recommended for venous TOS. This may involve removing both the scalene and subclavius muscles and first rib. The vein itself must also be treated. Blood clots often form around the damaged inner surface of the compressed vein.
Does thoracic outlet syndrome cause blood clots?
Thoracic outlet syndrome may also cause a blood clot to form in one of the arteries of your arm. This might cause sudden decreased blood flow to your arm. Your healthcare provider may need to treat this clot using blood thinners or a catheter inserted through an artery.
How is vascular thoracic outlet syndrome treated?
How is thoracic outlet syndrome treated?
- Physical therapy is typically the first treatment.
- Botulinum toxin injections are sometimes effective when physical therapy doesn’t completely relieve symptoms.
- If symptoms persist after physical therapy and injections, surgery may be recommended.
Can TOS cause aneurysm?
Abstract. The thoracic outlet syndrome may have a serious vascular component consisting of subclavian artery aneurysm with possible thrombosis and embolization which can result in severe ischemic symptoms in the upper extremity, gangrene, amputation, and even hemiplegia.
Can thoracic outlet syndrome affect the heart?
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: Types, Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment. Many health conditions can cause pain, tingling, or numbness in your neck, chest, arms, and hands, from minor muscle strains to a serious problem like a heart attack.
How is Vascular thoracic outlet syndrome diagnosed?
To confirm the diagnosis of thoracic outlet syndrome, your doctor may order one or more of the following tests:
- Ultrasound. An ultrasound uses sound waves to create images of your body.
- X-ray.
- Computerized tomography (CT) scan.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
- Arteriography and venography.
- Electromyography (EMG).
How do you fix arterial TOS?
Surgery is usually recommended for arterial TOS. This may involve removing both the scalene muscles in the neck, the cervical rib if present and the first rib. Other treatments include: Medication: blood thinners to treat clots.
Is TOS a major surgery?
TOS: An uncommon but important specialty focus While TOS is a fairly unusual specialty area within vascular surgery, it’s an important one — and one in which several Cleveland Clinic vascular surgeons have extensive experience.
Can thoracic outlet cause fatigue?
Pain and paraesthesias are the most common symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome. However, weakness and fatigue are not always clearly differentiated or interpreted in TOS patients.
Can thoracic outlet syndrome cause blood clots?
Can TOS cause a stroke?
Neurogenic TOS can result in chronic loss of neurologic function, venous TOS in local vein thrombosis. But arterial TOS can lead to limb ischemia or cerebral stroke.