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Updated: Mar 16, 2026

3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
Published on: June 2, 2014
Venous Thoracic Outlet Syndrome as a Cause of Intractable Migraines
Veer Chahwala1, Jun Tashiro1, Xiaoyi Li1
1Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, DeWitt-Daughtry Family Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL.
Abstract:
Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) refers to the compression of the neurovascular bundle within the thoracic outlet. Cases are classified by primary etiology-arterial, neurogenic, or venous. In addition to the typical symptoms of arm swelling and paresthesias, headaches have been reported as a potential symptom of TOS. In this report, we describe a patient with debilitating migraines, which were consistently preceded by unilateral arm swelling. Resolution of symptoms occurred only after thoracic outlet decompression. Patients with migraines and concomitant swelling and/or paresthesias, especially related to provocative arm maneuvers, should be considered a possible atypical presentation of TOS and evaluated in more detail.
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