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A Brief History of the Thoracic Outlet Compression Syndromes

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Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Abstract

The History of the Thoracic Outlet Compression Syndromes has evolved over the past 150 years, from the first well documented case in 1861, to series of patients now treated in modern prospective randomized trials. This evolution has been driven by clinical and basic research contributions from major University Medical Centers and Clinics around the globe.

The three major manifestations; Arterial, Venous, and Neurogenic were drawn together in a dramatic, tragic, and eventually transcendent series of events, summarized in a single clinical case, by the great American Neurologist William S. Fields in 1986.

The complex developmental anatomy, of this key evolutionary departure of Primates from the rest of the Mammals, remained the conundrum that shrouded the thoracic outlet from clarity. The contributions of; Embryologists, Anatomists, Neurophysiologists and Neuropathologists, coupled with astute observations of generations of Clinicians, now clearly define this unique anatomic site, and its hazards.

In reviewing this historical sequence the reader encounters a fascinating account, of a disorder that affects a diverse population including; Musicians, Athletes, Industrial Workers, as well as those who toil at Data Entry. The history also well illustrates the twists and turns of scientific discovery and clinical application, that have always encumbered our efforts to study, understand, and effectively alleviate a disorder, that can range from a curious annoyance to major disability.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), 10833 LeConte Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-6904, USA

    Herbert I. Machleder MD

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  1. Herbert I. Machleder MD
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Correspondence to Herbert I. Machleder 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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Machleder, H.I. (2013). A Brief History of the Thoracic Outlet Compression Syndromes. 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_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-4366-6_1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4471-4365-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4471-4366-6

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