[chroma]

For those of you who were examined by ultrasound in relation to TOS, which parts of your body was the ultrasound applied to? In other words, what was examined.

[billy027]

I am having that next week and was told they can do carpal tunnel, brachial plexus, shoulder and other areas also

[pixified]

Do you mean a venous ultrasound? I've had several, and it varies slightly by institution/technician. The usual course is check from the neck (jugular vein) down to the elbow. Some will continue all the way down to check forearm veins as well. The most thorough test I had checked veins and arteries in arms down and arms up positions. It seems kind of pointless to me to only check when arms are down, unless there is concern over a clot, of course.

ETA: It's important to have a tech experienced with testing for TOS. The collarbone blocks part of the subclavian vein so it's necessary to manipulate the transducer to a degree.

[MarcS]

Originally Posted by chroma

For those of you who were examined by ultrasound in relation to TOS, which parts of your body was the ultrasound applied to? In other words, what was examined.

My rheumatologist (who also diagnosed me with TOS) initially used a doppler ultrasoundon my elbows, because he thought I may had radial tunnel syndrome. He didnt use it on my scalenes anything..

[chroma]

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

http://www.jultrasoundmed.org/content/20/7/795.abstract

Abstract

To evaluate the use of color Doppler sonography in the diagnosis of thoracic outlet syndrome.

We studied color Doppler sonographic findings in 5 clinically suspected cases of thoracic outlet syndrome. The subclavian artery and vein were studied in varying degrees of abduction to assess the severity of the syndrome.

Significant changes, i.e., stages of increased velocities, preocclusion, and occlusion in the subclavian artery 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 velocities on release of abduction were noted in 3 patients. These changes suggested that significant narrowing was causing symptoms.

Color Doppler sonography is a noninvasive, effective method compared with digital subtraction angiography in the diagnosis of thoracic outlet syndrome.