Quadrangular Space Syndrome: A Narrative Overview

The purpose of this narrative review of the literature is to provide an overview of quadrangular space syndrome with special attention to its clinical presentation, differential diagnosis, and treatment.

A narrative review of the English-language, peer-reviewed literature was performed using the key words "axillary nerve," "quadrangular space," "quadrilateral space," and "posterior humeral circumflex artery." Databases searched were Medline Complete, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literatures, and Index to Chiropractic Literature. The search period was from 1983 through January 2020.

There were 85 articles selected for this review. A summary and overview are provided.

Quadrangular space syndrome is an uncommon cause of shoulder pain. Clinicians should consider it as a diagnosis after ruling out more common shoulder conditions and examining other concurrent diseases.