Mayo Clinic Talks Vascular Medicine Series: Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
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Sep 16, 2025 Join Ryan A. Meverden, a physician assistant in vascular medicine, and Sam Farres, a division chair of vascular surgery, as they dive into thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS). They explore the reasons TOS is often mistaken for other conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome and multiple sclerosis. The conversation highlights the importance of early diagnosis to prevent complications and discusses varied symptoms and effective management strategies. They also share valuable insights into diagnostic techniques and treatment options for better patient outcomes.
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Three Structures, Three Syndromes
- Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) can compress the brachial plexus, subclavian artery, or subclavian vein in three distinct locations.
- Different compressed structures produce neurogenic, arterial, or venous TOS with distinct symptoms and complications.
Prevalence Is Uncertain And Variable
- The true prevalence of TOS is poorly defined and type distribution varies widely across reports.
- Neurogenic TOS is reported most commonly while venous and arterial forms are much less frequent.
Ask About Repetitive Overhead Activities
- Consider TOS in people with repetitive overhead or overstretch activities like hairstylists, painters, and certain athletes.
- Ask about occupation and sports history because repetitive motion and muscle hypertrophy can precipitate TOS.