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Electrodiagnostic features of true neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome
Author(s) -
Tsao Bryan E.,
Ferrante Mark A.,
Wilbourn Asa J.,
Shields Robert W.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/mus.24066
Subject(s) - brachial plexus , medicine , sensory system , thoracic outlet syndrome , axon , anatomy , median nerve , sensory nerve , surgery , neuroscience , psychology
: We report the electrodiagnostic (EDX) features of 32 patients with surgically verified true neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome (TN‐TOS). Methods : Retrospective record review. Results : We found uniform EDX evidence of a chronic axon loss process that affected the lower portion of the brachial plexus and disproportionately involved the T1 more than the C8 sensory and motor fibers. Because of this relationship, the medial antebrachial cutaneous sensory nerve (T1) and median motor (T1 > C8) study combination was abnormal in 89%, whereas response combinations that primarily assessed the C8 fibers were less frequently affected. Conclusions : The characteristic EDX features of TN‐TOS are T1 > C8 nerve fiber involvement. A comprehensive EDX examination of the lower plexus with contralateral comparison studies is imperative to diagnose this disorder accurately. Muscle Nerve 49 : 724–727, 2014