Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: UQ Neural Mob & Mgmt of Pt w/ Brachial Plexopathy Flashcards
Brachial Plexus Visual
see pics
Brachial Plexus Anatomy
C5-T1
2
Brachial Plexus Anatomy
- 5 Roots (ventral rami)
- 3 Trunks
- 3 ANT Divisions, 3 POST Divisions
- 3 Cords
- Terminal Branches
-
MARMU
- Musculocutaneous
- Axillary
- Radial
- Median
- Ulnar
-
MARMU
Roots:
C5-T1
Trunks (3)
Upper
Middle
Lower
Trunks
Upper Trunk
formed from C5 and C6
Combines w/ Middle Trunk to form Lateral Cord
Trunks
Middle Trunk
Formed from C7
Combines w/ Upper Trunk to form Lateral Cord
Trunks
Lower Trunk
Formed from C8 and T1
Anterior Division becomes Medial Cord
Divisions (2)
ANTERIOR
POSTERIOR
Divisions
Anterior
contribute to nerves that innervate FLEXORS
Divisions
Posterior
contribute to nerves that innervate EXTENSORS
Divisions
Posterior Divisions of all three trunks form the _____
Posterior Cord
Cords (3)
Lateral
Posterior
Medial
Cords
Lateral
formed from the Upper and Middle Trunks
Musculocutaneous and Median nerves→ major P-nerves
Cords
Posterior
Formed from the Posterior Divisions of all three Trunks
Radial and Axillary→ major P-nerves
Cords
Medial
formed from the Anterior Division of the Lower Trunk
Ulnar and Median→ major P-nerves
Thoracic Outlet divided into 4 Regions:
Medial→Lateral
- Sternocostovertebral Space
- Scalene Triangle (Scalene Groove)
- Costoclavicular Space
- Pec Minor Space
Sternocostovertebral Space
Boundaries:
Contents:
-
Boundaries
- Ant→ sternum
- Post→ spinal column
- Lateral→ first rib
-
Contents
- Roots of plexus
- Subclavian aa/vein, jugular vein, neck lymphs
- Apex of lung and pleura
- Sympathetic trunk
Scalene Triangle (Scalene Groove)
Boundaries
Contents
-
Boundaries
- Ant→ Ant Scalene
- Post→ Middle Scalene
- Base→ First rib
-
Contents
- Roots and Trunks of the plexus
- Subclavian aa
Costoclavicular Space
Boundaries
Contents
-
Boundaries
- Sup→ coracoid process
- Ant→ pec minor
- Post→ chest wall
-
Contents
- Cords of plexus
- Subclavian aa/vein
What is Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS)?
Collection of disorders; describes patho condition of an anatomical space
TOS can include BOTH of these things:
- Subclavian aa and/or vein
- Brachial Plexus
TOS Subgroups
10%pts vs. 90%pts
-
10%
- Arterial vascular
- Venous vascular
- True neurologic
- Traumatic neurovascular
-
90%
- Disputed: MOST COMMON type of TOS pt
MOST COMMON type of TOS pt?
Disputed ~90%
TOS affects more _____ than _____
affects women more than men
Most experts believe only the _______ is involved in majority of TOS cases
Brachial Plexus
Compression Sites:
Sternocostovertebral Space
-
Pathology: compression caused by tumors→
- Lung (Pancoast Tumor; other space occupying lesions of lungs)
- Thymus
- Thyroid & Parathyroids
- Lymph nodes
Compression Sites:
Scalene Groove (Scalene Triangle)
what does NOT pass through here
Subclavian vein does NOT pass thru Scalene groove
Compression Sites:
Scalene Groove
what IS common in this space?
Scalene involvement
Compression Sites:
Scalene Groove
Vulnerable tissues in this site:
- Brachial plexus (common)
- ventral rami of C5-T1
- Subclavian artery
Compression Sites:
Scalene Groove (Triangle)
Patho: compression/entrapment
-
Patho: compression/entrapment caused by:
- Variations in Scalene anatomy
- Presence of interdigitating fibrous bands→ Roos’ bands
Compression Sites:
Costoclavicular Space
Bw where and where?
Also called?
Bw clavicle and 1st rib
aka “nutcracker”
Compression Sites:
Costoclavicular Space
Patho: compression bw clavicle and 1st rib
- Patho: compression bw clavicle and 1st rib caused by:
-
Shoulder girdle depression 2* to mm weakness/dyskinesia
- **postural syndromes
- Upper, Middle, Lower traps
- Serratus anterior
- Rhomboids
- Shoulder girdle depression 2* to Pec minor contraction
- Exostosis, tumors, fx of clavicle
- Fx of 1st rib
-
Shoulder girdle depression 2* to mm weakness/dyskinesia
Compression Sites:
Costoclavicular Space
In relation to this: Presence of cervical rib
- .3% pop
- 10% of .3% are problematic
- Incidence in women=2x that of men
- Only 10% become symptomatic usually after trauma
Compression Sites:
Coracoid Process/Pec Minor Interval
Patho: compression of Cords and vasculature
-
Patho: compression of Cords and Vasculature caused by:
- HyperABD of arm
- Hypertrophy of the Pec minor
- Shortening/tightness of the Pec minor
Palpation Lab
Rules/Guidelines to follow:
See pics
Palpation:
Trunks of the BP
- Loc’d in the Anterior Cervical Triangle→ ABOVE mid-pt of clavicle
- Neural tissue selectively tensioned by elevation/depression of shoulder w/ Elbow Ext
Palpation:
Cords of the BP
- Loc’d in line w/ the mid-pt of clavicle and axilla just below coracoid process
- *NOTE: you will NOT feel neural tissue→ BUT you will elicit response
Palpation:
Median and Ulnar Nerves in the Distal Axilla/Prox. Humerus
- Loc’d in the interval created bw biceps and triceps
- ID nerve bundle w/ varying deg’s of tension added by shoulder, neck, elbow motions
Palpation:
Radial Nerve
- Prox portion as it exits from Triangular Space
-
Boundaries:
- Inf border of Teres major
- Long head of Triceps
- Medial head of Triceps