Imaging features of the brachial plexus in neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome: A case report

Hoang Tu Minh; Nguyen Minh Duc; Nguyen-Van Cong; Ma Mai Hien; Le-Van Thuy; Ngo Hai Son; Tran Xuan Thach; Hoang Dinh Au

doi:10.1016/j.radcr.2024.10.158

Imaging features of the brachial plexus in neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome: A case report

Radiol Case Rep. 2024 Nov 23;20(2):999-1004. doi: 10.1016/j.radcr.2024.10.158. eCollection 2025 Feb.

Authors

Hoang Tu Minh^{1

2}, Nguyen Minh Duc³, Nguyen-Van Cong^{1

2}, Ma Mai Hien^{2

4}, Le-Van Thuy^{5

6}, Ngo Hai Son⁷, Tran Xuan Thach⁷, Hoang Dinh Au^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Radiology Center, Hanoi Medical University Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam.
² Department of Radiology, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam.
³ Department of Radiology, Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam.
⁴ Service d'imagerie diagnostique et interventionnelle, Centre Hospitalier Annecy Genevois, Haute-Savoie, France.
⁵ Department of Neurology, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam.
⁶ Department of Internal Medicine, Hanoi Medical University Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam.
⁷ Department of Maxillofacial - Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, Viet Duc University Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam.

Abstract

Neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome (NTOS) is characterized by the compression of the brachial plexus in the thoracic outlet region, caused by various etiologies. We report a case with clinical symptoms and imaging findings from ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of NTOS due to an elongated C7 transverse process and a fibrous band of the middle scalene muscle, which was confirmed in decompression surgery.

Keywords: Brachial plexus; Elongated C7 transverse processes; Neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome; Thoracic outlet syndrome; Wedge-sickle sign.

Publication types

Case Reports