title: Provocative F wave in the diagnosis of nonspecific neurogenic-type thoracic outlet syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is defined as a constellation of clinical symptoms caused by the entrapment of neurovascular structures (subclavian vessels and the brachial plexus) en route to the upper limb via the superior thoracic outlet. Nonspecific neurogenic TOS is not easy to diagnose because there is no investigational technique that has proven to be the diagnostic gold standard.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, our aim was to investigate the role of provocative F response in the diagnosis of nonspecific neurogenic TOS. F wave analysis of median and ulnar nerves in neutral and provocative maneuvers was carried out in 21 patients with a clinical diagnosis of nonspecific neurogenic TOS and in 15 healthy volunteers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All findings were within reference range in both groups, and no statistical difference was noted among subject groups, with or without provocative maneuvers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that the nonspecific neurogenic TOS is a temporary compression process that does not result in a structural damage on the nerve; therefore, significant electrophysiologic changes are not elicited.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Istanbul Training and Research Hospital, Turkey.
authors.forename: Levent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ozgönenel
authors.forename: Gülseren
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Akyüz
authors.forename: Bülent
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ozgönenel
authors.forename: Turgut
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Adatepe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004576:Electromyography; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008475:Median Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000502:physiology*; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000379:methods; D012016:Reference Values; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013901:Thoracic Outlet Syndrome / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014459:Ulnar Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology; D055815:Young Adult