Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: Case Reports and Analysis With Ultrasound Imaging

September 8, 2010 updated by: EMG Labs of Arizona Arthritis & Rheumatology Associates

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: Case Reports and Analysis - Ultrasound Imaging and Pathomechanics of Brachial Plexus Compression

Thoracic outlet syndrome is caused by compression of the brachial plexus, in most cases under the pectoralis minor muscle in the infraclavicular region of the shoulder. The hypothesis is that ultrasound imaging can be used to visualize brachial plexus compression and distortion of the pectoralis muscle during arm activity, such as abduction, and that normal subjects will not demonstrate any plexus compression or muscle distortion.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Detailed Description

Four patients with thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) underwent clinical exam and nerve testing to prove that they had TOS and no other nerve abnormality. They subsequently had ultrasound imaging of the shoulder (infraclavicular region) at rest and during arm abduction stress testing. Two control subjects had similar clinical exams and nerve testing to prove they did not have TOS, and then underwent similar ultrasound stress testing. The TOS patients demonstrated brachial plexus compression and pectoralis minor muscle distortion during the stress tests, and the normal subjects showed no plexus compression or muscle distortion.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Actual)

6

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Arizona
      • Paradise Valley, Arizona, United States, 85253
        • EMG Labs of AARA

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

16 years to 68 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Adult patients with upper limb symptoms of pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness, aggravated by arm abduction; Adult patients with no upper limb symptoms

Description

INCLUSION CRITERIA:

Thoracic outlet patients must have:

  • symptoms consistent with thoracic outlet syndrome, and
  • no electrical testing abnormality, and
  • positive arm abduction stress tests.

Normal subjects must have:

  • no upper limb symptoms, or
  • normal nerve testing, and
  • negative arm abduction stress test

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

Thoracic outlet patients excluded if they have:

  • nerve test abnormalities, or
  • negative arm abduction stress test

Normals excluded if they have:

  • abnormalities on nerve testing, or
  • positive arm abduction stress tests

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Observational Models: Case-Control
  • Time Perspectives: Prospective

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Thoracic outlet syndrome
These patients have documented thoracic outlet syndrome
Normal Subjects
These patients have no thoracic outlet syndrome

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Time Frame
Brachial plexus compression on ultrasound imaging in thoracic outlet syndrome patients
Time Frame: 4 months
4 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Time Frame
No brachial plexus compression in normal subjects
Time Frame: 4 months
4 months

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

EMG Labs of Arizona Arthritis & Rheumatology Associates

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Benjamin M Sucher, D.O., EMG Labs of AARA

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

June 1, 2010

Primary Completion (Actual)

September 1, 2010

Study Completion (Actual)

September 1, 2010

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

September 5, 2010

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 5, 2010

First Posted (Estimate)

September 8, 2010

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

September 9, 2010

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 8, 2010

Last Verified

September 1, 2010

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • TOS-US BP JAOA

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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