Unilateral thoracic outlet syndrome in a case with bilateral cervical ribs, does it always produce compression?

Abstract

Background: The cervical rib can be a rare finding in asymptomatic subjects. When it produces compression, it affects variably the vasculo-nervous structures of the brachial plexus; the clinical history is progressive. The imaging studies indicate the site of osteo-neuro-vascular conflict and electrophysiological studies indicate the degree of neural involvement. Case report: We present a patient with an eight-month history of paresis and right dysesthesias, with an image of bilateral cervical ribs with different anatomical characteristics. This case discusses how a variant of the anatomy produces pathology and when it is not related to compression.