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NCT Number: NCT01196637

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: Case Reports and Analysis With Ultrasound Imaging

Thoracic outlet syndrome is caused by compression of the brachial plexus, in most cases under the pectoralis minor muscle in the infraclavicular region of the shoulder. The hypothesis is that ultrasound imaging can be used to visualize brachial plexus compression and distortion of the pectoralis muscle during arm activity, such as abduction, and that normal subjects will not demonstrate any plexus compression or muscle distortion.

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Key information

Conditions

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Brachial Plexus Neuropathies Cardiovascular Diseases Nerve Compression Syndromes Nervous System Diseases Neuromuscular Diseases Peripheral Nervous System Diseases Vascular Diseases

Age range

18 year–70 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

EMG Labs of AARA

Paradise Valley, Arizona, 85253, United States

About this study

Four patients with thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) underwent clinical exam and nerve testing to prove that they had TOS and no other nerve abnormality. They subsequently had ultrasound imaging of the shoulder (infraclavicular region) at rest and during arm abduction stress testing. Two control subjects had similar clinical exams and nerve testing to prove they did not have TOS, and then underwent similar ultrasound stress testing. The TOS patients demonstrated brachial plexus compression and pectoralis minor muscle distortion during the stress tests, and the normal subjects showed no plexus compression or muscle distortion.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Thoracic outlet patients must have:

  • symptoms consistent with thoracic outlet syndrome, and
  • no electrical testing abnormality, and
  • positive arm abduction stress tests.

Normal subjects must have:

  • no upper limb symptoms, or
  • normal nerve testing, and
  • negative arm abduction stress test

Exclusion criteria

Thoracic outlet patients excluded if they have:

  • nerve test abnormalities, or
  • negative arm abduction stress test

Normals excluded if they have:

  • abnormalities on nerve testing, or
  • positive arm abduction stress tests

Treatment and study plan

Primary outcomes

  1. Brachial plexus compression on ultrasound imaging in thoracic outlet syndrome patients

    Time frame: 4 months

Secondary outcomes

  1. No brachial plexus compression in normal subjects

    Time frame: 4 months

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

EMG Labs of Arizona Arthritis & Rheumatology Associates

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: Case Reports and Analysis - Ultrasound Imaging and Pathomechanics of Brachial Plexus Compression

Important dates

Study start
2010
Primary completion
2010
Study completion
2010
First posted
Sep 8, 2010
Registry last updated
Sep 9, 2010

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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