Preoperative features in suspected neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome
| With cervical rib (n=23) | Without cervical rib (n=17) | |
|---|---|---|
| Presenting symptoms: | ||
| Age at symptom onset (y (median)) | 10–57 (35) | 21–58 (31) |
| Duration of symptoms (median) | Weeks–20 y (11 months) | 3 months–10 y (2 y) |
| Arm pain | 21 | 15 |
| Arm sensory disturbance | 20 | 15 |
| Hand weakness | 15 | 12 |
| Impaired hand function | 20 | 14 |
| Vascular symptoms | 14 | 5 |
| Preoperative examination findings: | ||
| Decreased sensation | 14/23 | 10/17 |
| Reduced muscle strength | 14/23 | 11/17 |
| Muscle wasting | 10/23 | 7/17 |
| Reproduction of sensory disturbance by rolling the brachial plexus | 7/7 | 5/5 |
| Positional obliteration of radial pulse | 12/22 | 12/15 |
| Subclavian bruit | 4 | 3 |
| Neurophysiological studies: | ||
| Normal results | 1/15 | 2/14 |
| Decreased F5 SNAP | 9/15 | 10/14 |
| Denervation of APB or FD10 | 14/15 | 10/14 |
| Denervation of forearm flexor muscles | 2/6 | 1/3 |
| Prolonged F waves | 6/13 | 7/12 |
| Prolonged wrist flexor reflex latency | 2/4 | 6/11 |
SNAP=Sensory nerve action potential; APB=abductor pollicis brevis; FD10=first dorsal interosseous muscle.