Color Doppler and duplex sonography in 5 patients with thoracic outlet syndrome

Purpose. To evaluate the use of color Doppler sonography in the diagnosis o f thoracic outlet syndrome. Methods. We studied color Doppler sonographic f indings in 5 clinically suspected cases of thoracic outlet syndrome. The su bclavian artery and vein were studied in varying degrees of abduction to as sess the severity of the syndrome. Results. Significant changes, i.e., stag es of increased velocities, preocclusion, and occlusion in the subclavian a rtery in varying degrees of abduction, were noted in 4 of 5 cases. Blunted flow in the axillary artery (4 patients) and a rebound increase in velociti es on release of abduction were noted in 3 patients. These changes suggeste d that significant narrowing was causing symptoms. Conclusion. Color Dopple r sonography is a noninvasive, effective method compared with digital subtr action angiography in the diagnosis of thoracic outlet syndrome.