Introduction: Cervical rib is a supernumerary rib springing from one of the cervical vertebrae, usually the seventh. About 1 in 200 people are born with cervical rib. About 1 in 10 people who have a cervical rib develop symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS). Aims: The aim of this study was to identify normal and abnormal anatomy of thoracic outlet using MRI in symptomatic costoclavicular compression syndrome and to plan them for surgery thereafter. Methods: This was a prospective hospital based study. All the symptomatic cases of cervical rib syndrome admitted in the department of Cardiovascular and thoracic surgery SKIMS, Srinagar from May 2011 to May 2015 were taken up for the study. Results: A total of 40 cases of symptomatic cervical rib syndrome were reported from May 2011 to May 2015. Mean age of presentation was 26.3. The most prevalent age group was 21 - 30 years (47%). Majority of patients were females (83%) with male female ratio of 1:5. 67% had bilateral cervical rib, more in females (72%) than males (40%). 97% had neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome and 3% had vascular thoracic outlet syndrome. 35% of cases with neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome had subclavian artery compression on MR Angio of thoracic outlet after subjecting them to postural maneuvers. All the patients with subclavian artery compression were subjected to surgery. Conclusion: Costoclavicular compression syndrome affects mainly young females. MR Angio is complementary in finding vascular compression in cases presenting mainly with neurogenic symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome.
A cervical rib is a supernumerary rib, springing from one of the cervical vertebrae, usually the seventh, rarely the sixth and very rarely the fifth. Galen and Vesalius were the first to describe cervical rib in detail. Cervical ribs are normal in crocodiles. Man has normally twelve pairs of ribs. About 1 in 200 people are born with a cervical rib. About 1 in 10 people who have a cervical rib develop thoracic outlet syndrome [
The aim of the present study is to identify normal and abnormal anatomy of thoracic outlet using MRI in symptomatic cases of cervical rib syndrome.
We analyzed all the patients of symptomatic costoclavicular compression syndrome admitted in the department of cardiovascular and thoracic surgery SKIMS, Srinagar during 4 consecutive years from May 2011 to May 2015. Diagnosis was based on results of clinical evaluation using various dynamic maneuvers and special investigations like x ray cervical spine (AP view), MRI thoracic outlet. While subjecting to MR Angio, 0.6 mm thick slices were taken and three dimensional reconstructions were also done. Images were obtained using pressure injector and automated trigger. During arterial phase 100 ml of non-ionic contrast (Iohexol) was injected through intravenous cannula of appropriate size (pressure injector and Iohexol was provided by the institution where the study was conducted). After identifying the cause of compression over costoclavicular tunnel, patients were subjected to surgery under general anesthesia. The patients were put in right/left lateral position with shoulder abducted, elbow flexed at 90 degrees and arm rested along the side stand provided with soft cushion. Through the hair line incision, first rib was excised from its anterior end including its periosteum towards the posterior end till its maximum part was removed taking care of axillary contents. This was followed by excision of scalene muscles and costoclavicular ligament. Finally soft and hard part of cervical rib was excised. Wound was closed over suction drain.
Stastistical method: Data is described as mean and percentages. SPSS and Microsoft Excel Software were used for data analysis
It was observed that majority of the patients were females (83%). 17% patients were males with male to female ratio of 1:5. Most of the patients were in the age group 21 to 30 years (47%) with mean age of 26 years. Mean age for males was 30 and that for females 26. Main symptom of presentation was paresthesia in 70% patients. Second most common symptom was pain in 63%. On clinical examination, weakness was present in 32% mainly affecting fingers (57%), loss of sensation to touch/pain in 32% mainly affecting little finger and ulnar aspect of hand (42%), atrophy in 30% mainly affecting thenar eminence (60%), gangrene and cyanosis of fingers was present in 3%, supraclavicular mass in 3%, ptosis in 3% and miosis in 7%. After subjecting to provocation test, upper limb tension test was positive in 93%, Adson’s test in 73%, hyper abduction test in 23% patients. 67% patients had bilateral cervical rib on x ray cervical spine (AP view) followed by left cervical rib in 20%, right cervical rib in 10%. Elongated C7 transverse process was found in 3% patients. Most common electrophysiological abnormality was deranged ulner nerve conduction velocity. 36% patients had subclavian artery compression on MR Angio of thoracic outlet, 21% had right subclavian artery compression and 79% left subclavian artery compression (
A cervical rib is a supernumerary rib springing from one of the cervical vertebrae, usually the seventh. Galen and Vesalius were the first to describe a cervical rib in detail. Cervical ribs are normal in crocodiles. Man has normally twelve pairs of ribs. About 1 in 200 people are born with a cervical rib. About 1 in 10 people who have a cervical rib develop TOS [
A total of 40 patients were admitted in the department of cardiovascular and thoracic surgery SKIMS, Srinagar in 4 consecutive years. The age of presentation of patients in our study ranged from 17 to 49 years with majority of patients being in the age group 21 - 30 years (47%). Mean age in our patients was 26 years (mean age for males 30 years and for females 25 years). Majority of patients were females (84%). Ziyad Yaseen and Aram Baram (2007-2010) reported similar age distribution in their study [
TOS is a symptom complex characterized by pain, paresthesia, weakness and discomfort in upper limbs which is aggravated by elevation of arms or by exaggerated movements of the head and neck. In our study 70% of cases presented with paresthesia affecting mainly fingers 38%. Second most common symptom was pain (63%) mainly affecting shoulders (58%) followed by arms (31.5%), neck (21%), forearm (21%) and fingers (16%). Weakness was present in 32% patients affecting mainly fingers in 57% cases followed by arm (52%), forearm (21%) and shoulder (15%). Atrophy was present in 30% cases affecting mainly thenar eminence (60%) followed by Interossei (44%) hypothenar (38%), finger (27%), forearm (27%), arm (11%) and shoulder (11% gangrene and cyanosis of fingers was present in 3% supraclavicular mass in 3%, ptosis in 3% and miosis in 7%. Loss of sensation to touch/pain was present in 32% patients affecting little finger and ulner aspect of hand in 42%, forearm in 26%, index finger in 26%, arm and thumb in 21%, middle finger and radial side of hand in 10% patients. These observations are similar to those reported in previous study by Daryll M Baker and Andrew J Lamerton [
Neurogenic TOS comprises over 90% of all TOS while arterial TOS (ATOS) less than 1%. Although the incidence in any one medical Centre is influenced by referral pattern, ATOS is the least common of all the types in
Age (yr) | Male | Female | Total | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
n | % | n | % | n | % | |
10 - 20 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 41 | 14 | 35 |
21 - 30 | 5 | 83 | 14 | 41 | 19 | 47.5 |
31 - 40 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 12 | 4 | 10 |
41 - 50 | 1 | 17 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 7.5 |
Neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome | Subclavian artery (SCA)compression | Right SCA compression | Left SCA compression | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
n | % | n | % | n | % | |
14 | 36 | 3 | 21 | 11 | 79 |
all series [
Provocation tests are well described in literature [
Cervical rib occurs in less than 1% population and 70% are women. It is a predisposition to neurogenic TOS following neck trauma, most often whiplash injuries [
Neuroelectrical studies are in inconsistently helpful, but may be useful in ruling out other more distal nerve entrapments [
Clinical diagnosis is often difficult in TOS requiring the use of imaging procedure. Diagnosis is usually made by a combination of history, physical examination and one or more of diagnostic modalities. 36% patients with neurogenic TOS had subclavian artery compression on MR Angio of the thoracic outlet after postural maneuver. Hale Ersoy et al. observed similar results in their study. They found that vascular component of TOS, which presented mainly with neurogenic or indeterminate symptoms or findings, was excluded in 61% subjects [
Neurogenic TOS represents the most common type of TOS and probably is the most detriment to the quality of life. Diagnosis of TOS is essentially based on history and clinical examination. Investigations can be helpful in confirming the suspected disgnosis. MRI is helpful in determining the presence of vascular compression and associated complications in TOS. Analysis of data from this prospective study clearly shows the importance of radiological investigations (MR Angio) in understanding the pathophysiology of TOS.
Shahnawaz Mansoor Shah,Imran Mansoor Shah,Zafar Ahmad Anim,Perveez Ahmad Malik, (2016) Costoclavicular Syndrome and MRI Evaluation, Our Experience at Tertiary Care Hospital, SKIMS Srinagar, J&K. Surgical Science,07,295-299. doi: 10.4236/ss.2016.77042