open access
The frequency of thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) occurrence in a young population between 19-26 years
open access
Abstract
Material and methods: The study group comprised 100 patients - Medical University of Silesia students, aged 19-26 (mean age 22.3 years). A physical examination, accompanied by a series of provocative tests assigned to identify signs of thoracic outlet syndrome, was carried out on each subject.
Results: 66% of patients had negative tests results and had no typical symptoms of the syndrome. 29% of subjects in spite of having no clinical signs, had at least one positive test result. 5% of patients with typical clinical symptoms had positive provocative test results (at least 3). In the entire studied population, the most frequent test with positive outcome was the Allen test (31%).
Conclusions: Despite the lack of clinically visible thoracic outlet syndrome vascular complications in the population aged 19-26 years, some of the subjects had significant abnormalities during their examination, presenting positive results of TOS provocative tests. The presence of positive test results and a relatively high rate of symptomatic patients suggest the necessity of further diagnostic tool implementation, including also an evaluation of the presence of potentially predisposing factors leading to TOS occurrence.
Abstract
Material and methods: The study group comprised 100 patients - Medical University of Silesia students, aged 19-26 (mean age 22.3 years). A physical examination, accompanied by a series of provocative tests assigned to identify signs of thoracic outlet syndrome, was carried out on each subject.
Results: 66% of patients had negative tests results and had no typical symptoms of the syndrome. 29% of subjects in spite of having no clinical signs, had at least one positive test result. 5% of patients with typical clinical symptoms had positive provocative test results (at least 3). In the entire studied population, the most frequent test with positive outcome was the Allen test (31%).
Conclusions: Despite the lack of clinically visible thoracic outlet syndrome vascular complications in the population aged 19-26 years, some of the subjects had significant abnormalities during their examination, presenting positive results of TOS provocative tests. The presence of positive test results and a relatively high rate of symptomatic patients suggest the necessity of further diagnostic tool implementation, including also an evaluation of the presence of potentially predisposing factors leading to TOS occurrence.
Keywords
zespół uciskowy górnego otworu klatki piersiowej; testy prowokacyjne; występowanie


Title
The frequency of thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) occurrence in a young population between 19-26 years
Journal
Chirurgia Polska (Polish Surgery)
Issue
Pages
8-15
Published online
2008-04-15
Page views
842
Article views/downloads
7590
Bibliographic record
Chirurgia Polska 2008;10(1):8-15.
Keywords
zespół uciskowy górnego otworu klatki piersiowej
testy prowokacyjne
występowanie
Authors
Tomasz Urbanek
Damian Ziaja
Anna Kwiecień
Michał Wasiak
Krzysztof Ziaja