Khadija Iqbal, Aisha Asim, Ibad-ur Rehman, Samra Asif.
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome; Management and Diagnosis of patients - True Picture.
Professional Med J Jan ;25(3):350-4.

Introduction: Thoracic outlet syndrome represents a variety of symptoms ranging from neurogenic to vascular. The thoracic outlet syndrome considered as a disputed disorder and management and diagnosis need special attention. Objective: The present study was done with the objective was to observe association of thoracic outlet syndrome with cervical rib and the treatment and diagnosis options given to the patients once they present in the OPD. Study Design: Observational. Sampling: Convenience. Duration: January 2015-2017 January. Materials and methods: In this study the cervical rib was present in 3 males out of 58 cases. In females 8 had cervical rib out of 150 cases. Results: Out of eleven patients only six were advised surgical excision to relieve symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome. Analgesics were also prescribed to all patients. The second category who did not have cervical rib nerve conduction studies were advised to only 12 males and 10 females. In our study patients presenting with numbness or and any vascular complaint only 11 cases had cervical rib. The treatment advised for relieving symptoms was surgical in only six patients and analgesics in all cases. The treatment for patients without cervical rib was analgesics and nerve conduction was advised only in 22 patients. Conclusion: The diagnosis and management of TOS is a combination of neurophysiological testing and clinical examination outcomes. The use of advanced techniques can lead to better patient management in our hospitals.

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