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Differential Diagnosis in Patients with Possible NTOS

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Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

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Abstract

Patients in whom the diagnosis of NTOS is being considered usually have neck and arm pain, sensory changes, and weakness that may be exacerbated by certain stress maneuvers. As discussed in Chap. 7, the presence of these features in a patient’s history and the reproduction of concordant experiences by bedside examination are two fundamental processes that start the diagnostic process.

The diagnostic process then continues with a consideration of entities that simulate NTOS but are, in fact, separate entities. Equally important but often overlooked is the need to recognize certain conditions that commonly coexist with NTOS but are associated with a poor outcome to NTOS-directed therapy (“game changers”) and, therefore, require a more dramatic change in the therapeutic approach.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, Neurological Associates of West Los Angeles, 2811 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 790, Santa Monica, 90403, CA, USA

    Sheldon E. Jordan MD, FAAN

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  1. Sheldon E. Jordan MD, FAAN
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Correspondence to Sheldon E. Jordan MD, FAAN .

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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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Jordan, S.E. (2013). Differential Diagnosis in Patients with Possible 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_8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-4366-6_8

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