Diagnostic accuracy of physician and self-referred patients for thoracic outlet syndrome is excellent.
[thoracic outlet syndrome]
The purpose of this study was to categorize patients referred to a specialized thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) practice to determine the diagnostic accuracy of those who are physician and self-referred.Demographic and clinical data on all patients who were referred for TOS between 2006 and 2010 were retrospectively reviewed from a prospectively maintained institutional review board-approved database and patient records.Between 2006 and 2010, 621 patients were referred for TOS (433 women and 188 men; mean age 39Â years [range 10-87]). Five hundred seventy-one patients (92%) were diagnosed with TOS, with 421 (74%) neurogenic, 126 (22%) venous, and 24 (4%) arterial TOS cases. Of the 525 physician referrals, 478 (91%) had TOS, and of the 93 self-referrals, 90 (97%) had TOS. The 421 patients with neurogenic TOS (NTOS, 304 women and 117 men) had symptoms on average for 56Â months (range 1-516). Two hundred seventy-one patients (64%) were initially treated with TOS-specific physical therapy (PT), and 100 (37%) improved. One hundred seventy-eight patients (42%) underwent a lidocaine block, and 145 patients (81%) had a positive block. Seventy-four patients (18%) underwent Botox injections 44 (60%) of which were positive and the average number of Botox injections was 1.3. One hundred forty patients (33%) underwent transaxillary first rib resection and scalenectomy (FRRS), and 128 patients (91%) improved. Of patients undergoing FRRS, 92 (66%) had a lidocaine block, 82 (89%) of which were positive. Of patients with a positive lidocaine block, 74 (90%) improved after FRRS. Of patients undergoing FRRS, 31 (22%) underwent Botox injections, 15 (48%) of which were positive. Of patients with a positive Botox block, 14 (93%) improved after FRRS. Average length of time between initial visit and operation was 6.4Â months (range 2Â weeks to 34Â months), and average follow-up time was 13Â months (range 1Â week to 49Â months).1) Both referring physicians and patients are very accurate in their preliminary diagnosis of TOS (neurogenic, venous, or arterial TOS). 2) In a specialized TOS practice, two-thirds of patients are sent to TOS-specific PT and one-third improve from this treatment alone. 3) One-third of patients referred for NTOS eventually undergo FRRS with a 91% success rate.
