Characteristics of the human shoulder predispose the neurovascular bundle to compression at different levels of the thoracic outlet during upper limb movements (mostly during abduction). This positional thoracic outlet compression (TOC) of the neurovascular bundle may remain completely asymptomatic. When symptomatic, it may result in a large variety of signs and symptoms which are collectively referred to as thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS). These symptoms result from arterial and/or venous and/or neural compression. The reason why subjects with TOC remain asymptomatic is undetermined. When patients complain of symptoms suggestive of TOS, regardless of their neural, arterial or venous origin, clinical, functional and radiological investigations are required to try to relate symptoms to the underlying neural and/or vascular compression. Surgery may be required in the case of “thoracic outlet compression with complications or sequelae” (TOX), or if quality of life remains impaired despite conservative treatment.
TOC, TOS and TOX are at the frontier of various specialties (such as: imaging, vascular medicine, surgery, sports medicine, rehabilitation and neurology). As such this Research Topic has been formulated to collate a range of papers on the subject with an open minded approach. We welcome the submission of articles of any article type accepted in the associated Frontiers journal (such as: case report, original research, review, meta-analysis) dealing with all aspects of the topic (Physiopathology, etiology, epidemiology, non-invasive diagnosis, imaging, complications, and treatments).
Characteristics of the human shoulder predispose the neurovascular bundle to compression at different levels of the thoracic outlet during upper limb movements (mostly during abduction). This positional thoracic outlet compression (TOC) of the neurovascular bundle may remain completely asymptomatic. When symptomatic, it may result in a large variety of signs and symptoms which are collectively referred to as thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS). These symptoms result from arterial and/or venous and/or neural compression. The reason why subjects with TOC remain asymptomatic is undetermined. When patients complain of symptoms suggestive of TOS, regardless of their neural, arterial or venous origin, clinical, functional and radiological investigations are required to try to relate symptoms to the underlying neural and/or vascular compression. Surgery may be required in the case of “thoracic outlet compression with complications or sequelae” (TOX), or if quality of life remains impaired despite conservative treatment.
TOC, TOS and TOX are at the frontier of various specialties (such as: imaging, vascular medicine, surgery, sports medicine, rehabilitation and neurology). As such this Research Topic has been formulated to collate a range of papers on the subject with an open minded approach. We welcome the submission of articles of any article type accepted in the associated Frontiers journal (such as: case report, original research, review, meta-analysis) dealing with all aspects of the topic (Physiopathology, etiology, epidemiology, non-invasive diagnosis, imaging, complications, and treatments).