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Updated: Oct 31, 2025
06:57
Transaxillary First Rib Resection for Treatment of the Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Published on: September 13, 2020
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Arterial Thoracic Outlet Syndrome in a Runner
Andrew J Ernst1, Bryan Lamb1, Christopher White1
1Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Medical College of Wisconsin, Wauwatosa, USA.
Cureus
|June 30, 2021
Summary
Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) can affect non-overhead athletes. This case highlights aberrant subclavian artery origin causing arterial TOS, successfully treated with surgery.
Area of Science:
- Vascular surgery
- Orthopedics
- Sports medicine
Background:
- Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) typically affects overhead athletes, often due to skeletal abnormalities causing nerve compression.
- Diagnosis in non-overhead athletes requires a broad differential and thorough investigation.
Observation:
- A 43-year-old recreational runner presented with unilateral arm pain during running.
- Vascular imaging revealed an aberrant subclavian artery origin causing positional compression.
- Cervical bone anomalies were absent, confirming arterial TOS.
Findings:
- Surgical intervention, including first rib resection and anterior scalenectomy, resolved the patient's symptoms.
- This case demonstrates a rare cause of TOS in a non-overhead athlete.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of considering vascular TOS in non-overhead athletes with upper extremity pain.
- Underscores the need for comprehensive diagnostic workups to identify underlying vascular anomalies.
- Suggests surgical management may be necessary for arterial TOS to prevent complications.
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