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Cervical Ribs and NTOS

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Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Abstract

Bone abnormalities of the C7 vertebrae include cervical ribs and elongated transverse processes, and represent space-occupying lesions within the confines of the thoracic outlet. These bone abnormalities, or the fibromuscular attachments between them and the underlying first thoracic rib, may cause irritation to the brachial plexus producing symptoms of NTOS. Conservative treatment may be the initial management, but is effective in a minority of patients. Surgical decompression of the thoracic outlet results in symptomatic improvement in most patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Thoracic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Blake 1570, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA

    Dean M. Donahue MD

Authors
  1. Dean M. Donahue MD
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Correspondence to Dean M. Donahue MD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Division of Vascular Surgery, University of South Florida, Tampa General Circle, STC 7016 2, Tampa, 33606, Florida, USA

    Karl A. Illig

  2. Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Department of Surgery, Washington University, Queeny Tower Campus Box, St. Louis, 63110, Missouri, USA

    Robert W. Thompson

  3. , Department of Surgery, John Hopkins Medical Institutions, Rutland Avenue - Ross 759 729, Baltimore, 21205, Maryland, USA

    Julie Ann Freischlag

  4. , Department of Thoracic Surgery, Blake 15, Massachusetts General Hospital, Fruit Street 55, Boston, 02114, Massachusetts, USA

    Dean M. Donahue

  5. Neurological Associates of West LA, Wilshire Blvd, Suite 790 2811, Santa Monica, 90403, California, USA

    Sheldon E. Jordan

  6. , Graduate Program in Physical Therapy, UCSF/SFSU, Balmoral Street 2429, Union City, 94587, California, USA

    Peter I. Edgelow

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© 2013 Springer-Verlag London

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Donahue, D.M. (2013). Cervical Ribs and NTOS. In: Illig, K., Thompson, R., Freischlag, J., Donahue, D., Jordan, S., Edgelow, P. (eds) Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-4366-6_13

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-4366-6_13

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4471-4365-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4471-4366-6

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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