Thoracic Outlet Canada

Introduction

Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is a medical condition involving the "thoracic outlet," the space between your collarbone and your first rib. Although not large, this gap is used by nerves (brachial plexus), an artery (subclavian artery) and a vein (subclavian vein). When the function of any of these structures is disrupted, a number of conditions can result.

Four variants of TOS are generally acknowledged: arterial, venous, neurogenic and symptomatic.

Three of these variants are driven by objective findings, are not controversial and most practitioners will agree with the diagnoses. They're also rare in the general population. The fourth variant, known as symptomatic or disputed TOS may be quite common, but it is also quite controversial because its determinants are subjective.

Bill Nelems MD, FRCSC, MEd
February 27, 2003

[arterial] | [venous] | [neurogenic] | [symptomatic]