Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

The following is a brief introduction into a condition with which Kevin has been suffering for many years:

Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) consists of a group of distinct disorders that affect the nerves in the brachial plexus (nerves that pass into the arms from the neck) and various nerves and blood vessels between the base of the neck and axilla (armpit). For the most part, these disorders have very little in common except the site of occurrence. The disorders are complex, somewhat confusing, and poorly defined, each with various signs and symptoms of the upper limb.

True neurologic TOS is rare and is caused by congenital anomalies (unusual anatomic features present at birth)… Symptoms include weakness and wasting of hand muscles, and numbness in the hand.(1)

Oftentimes there are multiple neurological problems associated with those who suffer from thoracic outlet syndrome:

Neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome (N-TOS) is often confounded by related diseases such as cubital and carpal tunnel syndromes, myofascial pain syndrome, and spinal stenosis; therefore, evaluation of surgical decompression of the thoracic outlet as an effective treatment has been difficult.(2)

Kevin underwent a double-scalenecomy in 1997 (in New York) -- a removal of two neck muscles -- to relieve the problem. Unfortunately, it was an unsuccessful procedure.

Kevin also suffers from radial nerve entrapments. He was first diagnosed with this neurological compression in 1991 by an orthopedic surgeon in Anchorage, Alaska, a diagnosis that was later confirmed by an orthopedic surgeon at the Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale. (More info on RNE will be published soon.)

1. NINDS Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Information Page. National Institutes of Health. 2005, Washington, DC

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/thoracic/thoracic.htm
2. Altobelli, G. G.; Kudo, T.; Haas, B. T.; Chandra, F. A.; Moy, J. L.; Ahn, S. S., Thoracic outlet syndrome: Pattern of clinical success after operative decompression. Journal of Vascular Surgery 2005, 42, (1), 122.