How is thoracic outlet syndrome diagnosed?
Ultrasound. An ultrasound uses sound waves to create images of your body. It’s often the first imaging test used to help diagnose thoracic outlet syndrome. Doctors may use this test to see if you have vascular thoracic outlet syndrome or other vascular problems.
What are 3 of the special tests for thoracic outlet syndrome?
Special Orthopedic Assessment Tests – Space Occupying Conditions – Slump Test. Orthopedic Assessment of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome – Adson’s, Eden’s, Wright’s. Orthopedic Assessment of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome – Brachial Plexus Tension Test. Special Orthopedic Assessment Tests – Vertebral Artery Competency Test.
What type of diagnostic tests are meant to bring on the symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome to determine the cause?
Computed tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the chest. CT scan or MRI of the spine to rule out cervical spine impingement (pressure), which can mimic neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome.
What are two special tests that can help diagnose the presence of TOS?
Invasive arteriography and angiography are for detecting complications of ATOS such as thrombosis, embolisation, and aneurysm. Due to the invasive nature of these investigations, they are usually employed as part of surgery planning rather than diagnosis alone.
Does an MRI show thoracic outlet syndrome?
For diagnosing a cervical rib, MRI had 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity. Conclusion: MRI can contribute to the diagnosis of TOS. Specificity is sufficiently high to provide guidance for planning the surgical procedure. Sensitivity, however, is too low for MRI to be useful as a screening test.
Will a CT scan show thoracic outlet syndrome?
Ultrasound / CT / MRI / Angiography
Imaging with ultrasound, contrast-enhanced CT, MRI or conventional angiography is useful for detecting vascular thoracic outlet syndrome (e.g. arterial and/or venous compression).
What mimics thoracic outlet syndrome?
Pectoralis minor syndrome (PMS) is a condition causing pain, numbness and tingling in the hand and arm. It often coexists with thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) but can also occur alone. The symptoms are similar to those of TOS: Pain, weakness, numbness and tingling in the hand and arm.
Where is pain with thoracic outlet syndrome?
Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is a group of disorders that occur when blood vessels or nerves in the space between your collarbone and your first rib (thoracic outlet) are compressed. This can cause shoulder and neck pain and numbness in your fingers.
What is the best test to diagnose a patient with a neurogenic form of thoracic outlet syndrome?
Electrophysiologic Tests
Electromyography and nerve conduction (EMG/NC) studies are usually performed at some point during evaluation of patients with upper-extremity neural symptoms, most often before a diagnosis of neurogenic TOS is considered.
Which nerve is most often affected in thoracic outlet syndrome?
Neurologic symptoms occur in 95% of cases of thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS). The lower two nerve roots of the brachial plexus, C8 and T1, are most commonly (90%) involved, producing pain and paresthesia in the ulnar nerve distribution.
Can you see thoracic outlet syndrome on MRI?
Conclusion: MRI can contribute to the diagnosis of TOS. Specificity is sufficiently high to provide guidance for planning the surgical procedure. Sensitivity, however, is too low for MRI to be useful as a screening test.