Costoclavicular Syndrome and MRI Evaluation, Our Experience at Tertiary Care Hospital, SKIMS Srinagar, J&K

Introduction: Cervical rib is a supernumerary rib springing from one of the cervical vertebrae, usually the seventh. About 1 in 200 people are born with cervical rib. About 1 in 10 people who have a cervical rib develop symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS). Aims: The aim of this study was to identify normal and abnormal anatomy of thoracic outlet using MRI in symptomatic costoclavicular compression syndrome and to plan them for surgery thereafter. Methods: This was a prospective hospital based study. All the symptomatic cases of cervical rib syndrome admitted in the department of Cardiovascular and thoracic surgery SKIMS, Srinagar from May 2011 to May 2015 were taken up for the study. Results: A total of 40 cases of symptomatic cervical rib syndrome were reported from May 2011 to May 2015. Mean age of presentation was 26.3. The most prevalent age group was 21 30 years (47%). Majority of patients were females (83%) with male female ratio of 1:5. 67% had bilateral cervical rib, more in females (72%) than males (40%). 97% had neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome and 3% had vascular thoracic outlet syndrome. 35% of cases with neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome had subclavian artery compression on MR Angio of thoracic outlet after subjecting them to postural maneuvers. All the patients with subclavian artery compression were subjected to surgery. Conclusion: Costoclavicular compression syndrome affects mainly young females. MR Angio is complementary in finding vascular compression in cases presenting mainly with neurogenic symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome.