Venous thoracic outlet syndrome caused by a congenital rib malformation

Abstract

SummaryVenous thoracic outlet syndrome (VTOS) represents a rare disorder. Hypertrophy of the anterior scalene musculature is the cause of the compression syndrome in most cases. To our knowledge, we describe the first reported case worldwide of a venous compression syndrome caused by a congenital malformation of the 1st and 2nd ribs. Treatment by transaxillary partial rib resection was necessary and a very good postoperative result was achieved. © 2012 The Author 2012. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.