JCM, Vol. 12, Pages 6811: Congenital, Acquired, and Trauma-Related Risk Factors for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome—Review of the Literature

JCM, Vol. 12, Pages 6811: Congenital, Acquired, and Trauma-Related Risk Factors for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome—Review of the Literature

Journal of Clinical Medicine doi: 10.3390/jcm12216811

Authors: Krystian Maślanka Nicol Zielinska Piotr Karauda Adrian Balcerzak Georgi Georgiev Andrzej Borowski Marek Drobniewski Łukasz Olewnik

Thoracic outlet syndrome is a group of disorders that affect the upper extremity and neck, resulting in compression of the neurovascular bundle that exits the thoracic outlet. Depending on the type of compressed structure, the arterial, venous, and neurogenic forms of TOS are distinguished. In some populations, e.g., in certain groups of athletes, some sources report incidence rates as high as about 80 cases per 1000 people, while in the general population, it is equal to 2–4 per 1000. Although the pathogenesis of this condition appears relatively simple, there are a very large number of overlapping risk factors that drive such a high incidence in certain risk groups. Undoubtedly, a thorough knowledge of them and their etiology is essential to estimate the risk of TOS or make a quick and accurate diagnosis.