The enigma of neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome following motor vehicle collisions

Background The concept of neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome (N-TOS) including upper and lower plexus syndromes secondary to soft tissue neck injury after motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) has been contentious. We considered that analysis of objective data from this group of patients could provide insight into this controversial type of N-TOS. Methods During the 10-year period January 2001 through December 2010 we examined patients who had received a diagnosis of N-TOS following an MVC. We graded the principal diagnosis based on the objective data from our physical examination. Results In total 263 patients received a diagnosis of N-TOS during the study period. At the highest accuracy level of diagnosis there were 56 patients with ulnar entrapment syndrome (UES), 40 with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and 55 with nonorganic disease (NOD), for a total of 151 (57.4%) cases in which the diagnosis of N-TOS was brought into question. The elevated arm stress test (EAST) reproduced the symptoms of UES in 33 of the 56 patients of UES (58.9%) and reproduced the symptoms of CTS in 18 of the 40 patients with CTS (45.0%). Conclusion There appears to be a high incidence of misdiagnosis of N-TOS following MVCs. The EAST is not a prime test for N-TOS.