Managing pediatric thoracic outlet syndrome

Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is largely overlooked in children and adolescents because the condition is not widely viewed as a pediatric disorder. This study aimed to clarify the causes, best treatment approaches, and prognosis for young patients with TOS.

A retrospective study was conducted on 13 patients, from 4 to 13 years of age, with TOS. Ten children underwent surgical treatment, and three were treated conservatively. All patients received local nerve blocks on two occasions and were followed-up for more than 2 years.

Among the 10 children who underwent surgery, six school-aged children returned to school 10 to 14 days after surgery. Parents of the three children treated conservatively reported that activity within the affected limb and overall muscle strength had increased in their children and none of the three children had complained about discomfort in the affected limb.

A diagnosis of TOS should be considered when a child or adolescent has neck and shoulder discomfort, hand numbness, and upper limb weakness. As with adults with TOS, detailed physical examination is the key to diagnosing pediatric TOS. Conservative treatment is effective for young TOS patients who have mild changes in the length and thickness of the affected limb and is an option when parents refuse surgical treatment.