Pectoralis minor syndrome

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Pectoralis minor syndrome (PMS) is a condition related to thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) that results from the pectoralis minor muscle being too tight. [1] PMS results from the brachial plexus being compressed under the pectoralis minor [2] while TOS involves compression of the bundle above the clavicle. In most patients, the nerves are constricted resulting in neurogenic PMS, but venous compression (venous PMS) can also occur. [3]

PMS and TOS often, but not always, occur together. They share similar symptoms including tingling, pain, or weakness in the hand and arm, but in PMS there is also pain or tenderness in the chest wall where the pectoralis minor attaches to the scapula as well as in the armpit. [1] One study of 100 patients diagnosed with neurogenic TOS found that 75 percent also had neurogenic PMS and 30 percent in fact had PMS without TOS. [4]

PMS is often caused by injury to the neck, excessive stretching of the shoulder, or certain sports that involve overhead throwing. [1] Confirmation of the diagnosis can be done by blocking the pectoralis minor muscle or injecting botulinium. [5] First-line treatment for patients with PMS but without TOS is self-stretching of the pectoralis minor muscle. [6] Other treatments include injection of botulinium, or surgery that cuts the pectoralis minor tendon. [7] [8] [2]

For patients with PMS but without TOS, one study found that surgery resulted in a good or excellent outcome in 90 percent of cases. [4] Another study in ten patients with PMS substantially resolved symptoms in all but one case. [9]

PMS was first described in 1945. [10]

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Veins are blood vessels in the circulatory system of humans and most other animals that carry blood towards the heart. Most veins carry deoxygenated blood from the tissues back to the heart; exceptions are those of the pulmonary and fetal circulations which carry oxygenated blood to the heart. In the systemic circulation, arteries carry oxygenated blood away from the heart, and veins return deoxygenated blood to the heart, in the deep veins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phrenic nerve</span> Nerve controlling the diaphragm

The phrenic nerve is a mixed motor/sensory nerve that originates from the C3-C5 spinal nerves in the neck. The nerve is important for breathing because it provides exclusive motor control of the diaphragm, the primary muscle of respiration. In humans, the right and left phrenic nerves are primarily supplied by the C4 spinal nerve, but there is also a contribution from the C3 and C5 spinal nerves. From its origin in the neck, the nerve travels downward into the chest to pass between the heart and lungs towards the diaphragm.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vascular surgery</span> Medical specialty, operative procedures for the treatment of vascular disorders

Vascular surgery is a surgical subspecialty in which vascular diseases involving the arteries, veins, or lymphatic vessels, are managed by medical therapy, minimally-invasive catheter procedures and surgical reconstruction. The specialty evolved from general and cardiovascular surgery where it refined the management of just the vessels, no longer treating the heart or other organs. Modern vascular surgery includes open surgery techniques, endovascular techniques and medical management of vascular diseases - unlike the parent specialities. The vascular surgeon is trained in the diagnosis and management of diseases affecting all parts of the vascular system excluding the coronaries and intracranial vasculature. Vascular surgeons also are called to assist other physicians to carry out surgery near vessels, or to salvage vascular injuries that include hemorrhage control, dissection, occlusion or simply for safe exposure of vascular structures.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rhomboid major muscle</span> Skeletal muscle in the human back

The rhomboid major is a skeletal muscle of the back that connects the scapula with the vertebrae of the spinal column. It originates from the spinous processes of the thoracic vertebrae T2–T5 and supraspinous ligament; it inserts onto the lower portion of the medial border of the scapula. It acts together with the rhomboid minor to keep the scapula pressed against thoracic wall and to retract the scapula toward the vertebral column.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rhomboid minor muscle</span> Skeletal muscle of the upper back

In human anatomy, the rhomboid minor is a small skeletal muscle of the back that connects the scapula to the vertebrae of the spinal column. It arises from the nuchal ligament, and the 7th cervical and 1st thoracic vertebrae and intervening supraspinous ligaments; it inserts onto the medial border of the scapula. It is innervated by the dorsal scapular nerve.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thoracic outlet syndrome</span> Compression of the nerves or blood vessels between the neck and ribcage

Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is a condition in which there is compression of the nerves, arteries, or veins in the superior thoracic aperture, the passageway from the lower neck to the armpit, also known as the thoracic outlet. There are three main types: neurogenic, venous, and arterial. The neurogenic type is the most common and presents with pain, weakness, paraesthesia, and occasionally loss of muscle at the base of the thumb. The venous type results in swelling, pain, and possibly a bluish coloration of the arm. The arterial type results in pain, coldness, and pallor of the arm.

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Adson's sign is the loss of the radial pulse in the arm by rotating head to the ipsilateral side with extended neck following deep inspiration.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paget–Schroetter disease</span> Formation of blood clots in the deep veins of the arms

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brachial plexus injury</span> Medical condition

A brachial plexus injury (BPI), also known as brachial plexus lesion, is an injury to the brachial plexus, the network of nerves that conducts signals from the spinal cord to the shoulder, arm and hand. These nerves originate in the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth cervical (C5–C8), and first thoracic (T1) spinal nerves, and innervate the muscles and skin of the chest, shoulder, arm and hand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Medial pectoral nerve</span>

The medial pectoral nerve is (typically) a branch of the medial cord of the brachial plexus and is derived from spinal nerve roots C8-T1. It provides motor innervation to the pectoralis minor muscle, and the lower half of the pectoralis major muscle. It runs along the inferior border of the pectoralis minor muscle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">May–Thurner syndrome</span> Medical condition

May–Thurner syndrome (MTS), also known as the iliac vein compression syndrome, is a condition in which compression of the common venous outflow tract of the left lower extremity may cause discomfort, swelling, pain or iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lateral pectoral nerve</span>

The lateral pectoral nerve arises from the lateral cord of the brachial plexus, and through it from the C5-7.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parsonage–Turner syndrome</span> Medical condition

Parsonage–Turner syndrome, also known as acute brachial neuropathy, neuralgic amyotrophy and abbreviated PTS, is a syndrome of unknown cause; although many specific risk factors have been identified, the cause is still unknown. The condition manifests as a set of symptoms most likely resulting from autoimmune inflammation of unknown cause of the brachial plexus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome</span> Abnormal popliteal artery compression by surrounding structures

The popliteal artery entrapment syndrome (PAES) is an uncommon pathology that occurs when the popliteal artery is compressed by the surrounding popliteal fossa myofascial structures. This results in claudication and chronic leg ischemia. This condition mainly occurs more in young athletes than in the elderlies. Elderlies, who present with similar symptoms, are more likely to be diagnosed with peripheral artery disease with associated atherosclerosis. Patients with PAES mainly present with intermittent feet and calf pain associated with exercises and relieved with rest. PAES can be diagnosed with a combination of medical history, physical examination, and advanced imaging modalities such as duplex ultrasound, computer tomography, or magnetic resonance angiography. Management can range from non-intervention to open surgical decompression with a generally good prognosis. Complications of untreated PAES can include stenotic artery degeneration, complete popliteal artery occlusion, distal arterial thromboembolism, or even formation of an aneurysm.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chronic venous insufficiency</span> Medical condition

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a medical condition in which blood pools in the veins, straining the walls of the vein. The most common cause of CVI is superficial venous reflux which is a treatable condition. As functional venous valves are required to provide for efficient blood return from the lower extremities, this condition typically affects the legs. If the impaired vein function causes significant symptoms, such as swelling and ulcer formation, it is referred to as chronic venous disease. It is sometimes called chronic peripheral venous insufficiency and should not be confused with post-thrombotic syndrome in which the deep veins have been damaged by previous deep vein thrombosis.

Plexopathy is a disorder of the network of nerves in the brachial or lumbosacral plexus. Symptoms include pain, muscle weakness, and sensory deficits (numbness).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Magnetic resonance neurography</span>

Magnetic resonance neurography (MRN) is the direct imaging of nerves in the body by optimizing selectivity for unique MRI water properties of nerves. It is a modification of magnetic resonance imaging. This technique yields a detailed image of a nerve from the resonance signal that arises from in the nerve itself rather than from surrounding tissues or from fat in the nerve lining. Because of the intraneural source of the image signal, the image provides a medically useful set of information about the internal state of the nerve such as the presence of irritation, nerve swelling (edema), compression, pinch or injury. Standard magnetic resonance images can show the outline of some nerves in portions of their courses but do not show the intrinsic signal from nerve water. Magnetic resonance neurography is used to evaluate major nerve compressions such as those affecting the sciatic nerve (e.g. piriformis syndrome), the brachial plexus nerves (e.g. thoracic outlet syndrome), the pudendal nerve, or virtually any named nerve in the body. A related technique for imaging neural tracts in the brain and spinal cord is called magnetic resonance tractography or diffusion tensor imaging.

Anterior interosseous syndrome is a medical condition in which damage to the anterior interosseous nerve (AIN), a distal motor and sensory branch of the median nerve, classically with severe weakness of the pincer movement of the thumb and index finger, and can cause transient pain in the wrist.

First rib resection is a surgical procedure used in humans to treat thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) and Paget–Schroetter disease. It involves the surgical removal of a segment of the first rib, which is the rib closest to the head, under the collar bone.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Sencen, Lisa. "Thoracic Outlet Syndrome". NORD (National Organization for Rare Disorders). Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  2. 1 2 Howard, Matthew; Jones, Michael; Clarkson, Richard; Donaldson, Oliver (2022). "Pectoralis minor syndrome: diagnosis with Botulinum injection and treatment with tenotomy – a prospective case series". Shoulder & Elbow. 14 (2): 157–161. doi:10.1177/1758573220968454. PMC   8899325 . PMID   35265181.
  3. Sanders, Richard J.; Annest, Stephen J. (2014). "Thoracic outlet and pectoralis minor syndromes". Seminars in Vascular Surgery. 27 (2): 86–117. doi:10.1053/j.semvascsurg.2015.02.001. PMID   25868762.
  4. 1 2 Sanders, Richard J.; Rao, Neal M. (2010). "The Forgotten Pectoralis Minor Syndrome: 100 Operations for Pectoralis Minor Syndrome Alone or Accompanied by Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome". Annals of Vascular Surgery. 24 (6): 701–708. doi:10.1016/j.avsg.2010.02.022. PMID   20471786.
  5. Pietramaggiori, Giorgio; Scherer, Saja (2020). "Diagnosis and Treatment of Pectoralis Minor Syndrome (Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet)". Minimally Invasive Surgery for Chronic Pain Management: An Evidence-Based Approach. Springer International Publishing. pp. 47–52. ISBN   978-3-030-50188-4.
  6. Sanders, Richard J. (2013). "Pectoralis Minor Syndrome". Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. Springer. pp. 93–100. ISBN   978-1-4471-4366-6.
  7. Martinez Del Carmen, Dorelly Tanayra; Martí Mestre, Francisco Xavier; Tripodi, Paolo; Macia Vidueira, Ivan; Ramos Izquierdo, Ricard; Romera Villegas, Antonio (2022). "Role of Botulinum Toxin in Pectoralis Minor Syndrome". Annals of Vascular Surgery. 81: 225–231. doi:10.1016/j.avsg.2021.09.032. PMID   34775010. S2CID   244070486.
  8. Aktas, Ilknur; Kaya, Ezgi; Akpinar, Pinar; Atici, Arzu; Unlu Ozkan, Feyza; Palamar, Deniz; Akgun, Kenan (2020). "Spasticity-induced Pectoralis minor syndrome: a case-report". Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation. 27 (4): 316–319. doi:10.1080/10749357.2019.1691807. PMID   31774031. S2CID   208319300.
  9. Haeni, David; Martinez-Catalan, Natalia; Esper, Ronda N.; Wagner, Eric R.; El Hassan, Bassem T.; Sanchez-Sotelo, Joaquin (2022). "Arthroscopic release of the pectoralis minor tendon from the coracoid for pectoralis minor syndrome". Journal of Experimental Orthopaedics. 9 (1): 57. doi: 10.1186/s40634-022-00491-x . PMC   9206061 . PMID   35713735. S2CID   249713897.
  10. Sanders, Richard J.; Rao, Neal M. (2009). "PP30. The Forgotten Pectoralis Minor Syndrome: Report of 100 Operations". Journal of Vascular Surgery. 49 (5): S23. doi: 10.1016/j.jvs.2009.02.060 .

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