Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome – Diagnosis Concensus

Though Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS) with vascular findings can be more easily resolved by disappearance of pulse, neurogenic TOS remains more controversial. Now there has arrived a concensus of opinion on diagnositic criteria.

Development of Consensus-Based Diagnostic Criteria for NTOS
Robert W. Thompson
K.A. Illig et al. (eds.), Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, p143 – 155
Springer-Verlag London 2013
no abstract

Below are criteria worked out 2013:

Upper Limb Tension Test(ULTT or upper limb Nerve tension test) are series on manouvers designed to stretch median especially and other nerves in arm and see if induces straight leg raising like symptoms;

The arm elevation stress test (ROOS test) – involves holding your arms up in “stick-im -up” position for 1 -3 minutes

Comment – I like the Roos test as a quick test for TOS.  For insurers(and some doctors too) who don’t like to believe NTOS exists,  it might be best to print out criteria and circle the ones that the subject qualifies as having.

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