ABC Medical Center > Diseases > Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

What is thoracic outlet syndrome?

11 December 2025

This is a condition characterized by intense pain in the neck, shoulders, and arm due to the compression of nerves or blood vessels in the thoracic outlet, which is the space just below the clavicle (collarbone).

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS) is more common in women and although it can arise at any age, it is most frequent in adulthood, between 25 and 55 years of age.

It is classified into three types:

  • Neurogenic: This is the most common type, characterized by a compressed brachial plexus, affecting muscle movements and sensation in the shoulder, arm, and hand.
  • Venous: This causes blood clots when veins inferior to the clavicle are compressed.
  • Arterial: This is low-incidence and can cause an aneurysm when an artery inferior to the clavicle is compressed.

The main causes of its appearance include:

  • Anatomical defects.
  • Pregnancy.
  • Injuries.
  • Poor posture.
  • Bumps and trauma.
  • Repetitive movements of the arms and shoulders.

Signs and symptoms Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

The symptoms depend on the type of syndrome suffered, manifesting the following:

  • Pain in the neck, shoulders, arms, and hands.
  • Cold extremities.
  • Numbness or tingling in the arm or fingers.
  • Blood clots in the veins of the upper body.
  • Pale or bluish fingers.
  • Bulge in the area of the clavicle.
  • Weak pulse.

If you present any of these symptoms, go to the Emergency Department of Centro Médico ABC as soon as possible to receive specialized medical attention and avoid complications.

Diagnosis and treatment Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Once the doctor analyzes your symptoms and clinical history, they will perform a physical exam and order a series of tests to determine the cause of thoracic outlet syndrome, including arteriography, ultrasound, electromyography, X-rays, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and venography.

The treatment will depend on the cause of the thoracic outlet syndrome, but generally, the following are prescribed:

  • Medications (Drugs).
  • Physical therapy.
  • Surgery.

At the Internal Medicine Department of Centro Médico ABC, we provide medical care services with the highest quality and safety, from the prevention, diagnosis, timely treatment, and follow-up of infectious, respiratory, endocrinological, dermatological, rheumatic, nephrological, gastrointestinal, and hematological pathologies, both chronic-degenerative conditions and acute conditions, through an integral and multidisciplinary model.

Related centers and departments Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Internal medicine
Radiology and Molecular Imaging
Clinical Laboratory

Fuentes:

  • adam.com
  • topdoctors.es
  • elsevier.es
  • mayoclinic.org
  • medlineplus.gov
  • msdmanuals.com
  • middlesexhealth.org
  • medigraphic.com
  • González-Echeverria KE, Esqueda-Liquidano MA, Ariñez-Barahona E, et al. Cambios del dolor neuropático en dos pacientes con síndrome de salida torácica debido a costilla cervical accesoria. Rev Mex Neuroci. 2018;19(2):39-48.
  • Lemus-Ramírez RI, Ramos-Hernández A, Díaz-Plauchud CA, et al. Manejo quirúrgico para el síndrome de salida de tórax: experiencia a cinco años. Med Sur. 2016;23(1):38-42.
  • Pérez BMLI, Montes CML, Flores GR, et al. Síndrome de dolor miofascial cervical asociado a síndrome de salida torácica, un síntoma más en la cervicalgia. Rev Mex Med Fis Rehab. 2009;21(3):90-94.

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