[Use of digital subtraction angiography in the study of thoracic outlet syndrome]

Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is characterized by neural and vascular symptoms of the upper extremity, caused by abnormal compression on the brachial plexus, subclavian-axillary artery and/or vein, when the patient makes some movements. Compression can occur on various anatomic levels: interscalene triangle, costoclavicular passage, pectoralis minor tendon. The authors describe the various stress position to point out the place of compression, etiology and the most common methods of study. They refer also their experience about TOS obtained using selective digital subtraction angiography (DSA) of both subclavian arteries in 6 patients. Thanks to DSA, that allows the dilution of contrast medium, it is possible to carry out all the stress maneuvers using a little amount of contrast medium.