title: Thoracic outlet syndrome: wide literature for few cases. Status of the art.
abstract: Despite its low prevalence and incidence, considerable debate exists in the literature on thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS). From literature analysis on nerve entrapments, we realized that TOS is the second most commonly published entrapment syndrome in the literature (after carpal tunnel syndrome) and that it is even more reported than ulnar neuropathy at elbow, which, instead, is very frequent. Despite the large amount of articles, there is still controversy regarding its classification, clinical picture, diagnostic objective findings, diagnostic modalities, therapeutical strategies and outcomes. While some experts believe that TOS is underrated, overlooked and very frequent, others even doubt its existence as a nosological entity. In the attempt to shed more light on this condition, we performed a systematic review of the literature and report evidence and opinions around this controversial subject. Only articles focused on neurogenic TOS were considered. Understanding the status of the art and the underlying reasons of doubts and weaknesses could help clinical practice and set the stage for future research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatrics, Neurosciences and Othopaedics, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo F. Vito 1, 00168, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Pietro Emiliano
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Doneddu
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurorehabilitation, Don Carlo Gnocchi Onlus Foundation, P.le Morandi, 6, 20121, Milan, Italy.|Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Orthopaedic Science, "Sapienza" University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Coraci
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurorehabilitation, Don Carlo Gnocchi Onlus Foundation, P.le Morandi, 6, 20121, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: De Franco
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurorehabilitation, Don Carlo Gnocchi Onlus Foundation, P.le Morandi, 6, 20121, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Ilaria
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Paolasso
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatrics, Neurosciences and Othopaedics, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo F. Vito 1, 00168, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Caliandro
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatrics, Neurosciences and Othopaedics, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo F. Vito 1, 00168, Rome, Italy. luca.padua@unicatt.it.|Department of Neurorehabilitation, Don Carlo Gnocchi Onlus Foundation, P.le Morandi, 6, 20121, Milan, Italy. luca.padua@unicatt.it.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2570-9326
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Padua
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D013901:Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
keywords: Brachial plexus; Literature review; Nerve entrapments; Neurogenic TOS; Neuropathy; Thoracic outlet syndrome