Ms. Mien, 48 years old, experienced numbness in her right fingers, a tired arm, and occasional cold right hand. After visiting the doctor, she was diagnosed with a rare thoracic outlet syndrome. This syndrome occurs when blood vessels or nerves running from the upper body to the arms are compressed by surrounding structures, leading to various symptoms such as swelling, reduced blood flow, tingling, muscle weakness, pain, and numbness.
Dr. Nguyen Anh Dung explained that the thoracic outlet is a narrow space between the neck and shoulders, formed by the upper ribs below the collarbone. The syndrome can be divided into three types: neurogenic TOS, venous TOS, and arterial TOS. In Ms. Mien’s case, she had a combination of these mechanisms, with severe stenosis of the right subclavian artery root and veins.
For treatment, a surgical procedure was performed to widen the thoracic outlet and relieve the compression of the blood vessels and nerves. After the surgery, Ms. Mien experienced complete relief from her hand numbness and was able to resume normal activities. It is recommended for patients with TOS to follow a healthy lifestyle and avoid stress on the shoulders and muscles around the thoracic outlet.
Dr. Phan Vu Hong Hai emphasized that the causes of thoracic outlet syndrome can include trauma, congenital anatomical abnormalities, bad posture, repetitive movements, obesity, and more. It is important for people at risk, such as office workers, athletes, musicians, and those with physically demanding jobs, to take preventive measures to avoid developing TOS. Physical therapy and medical treatments are the first line of defense against this syndrome, and in some cases, surgery may be necessary for treatment.