Currently, there is no consensus on the optimal management of Paget-Schroetter syndrome (PSS). The objective was to summarise the current evidence for management of PSS with explicit attention to the clinical outcomes of different management strategies.
The Cochrane, PubMed, and Embase databases were searched for reports published between January 1990 and December 2021.
A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. The primary endpoint was the proportion of symptom free patients at last follow up. Secondary outcomes were success of initial treatment, recurrence of thrombosis or persistent occlusion, and patency at last follow up. Meta-analyses of the primary endpoint were performed for non-comparative and comparative reports. The quality of evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach.
Sixty reports were included (2 653 patients), with overall moderate quality. The proportions of symptom free patients in non-comparative analysis were: anticoagulation (AC), 0.54; catheter directed thrombolysis (CDT) + AC, 0.71; AC + first rib resection (FRR), 0.80; and CDT + FRR, 0.96. Pooled analysis of comparative reports confirmed the superiority of CDT + FRR compared with AC (OR 13.89, 95% CI 1.08 - 179.04; p = .040, I2 87%, very low certainty of evidence), AC + FRR (OR 2.29, 95% CI 1.21 - 4.35; p = .010, I2 0%, very low certainty of evidence), and CDT + AC (OR 8.44, 95% CI 1.12 - 59.53; p = .030, I2 63%, very low certainty of evidence). Secondary endpoints were in favour of CDT + FRR.
Non-operative management of PSS with AC alone results in persistent symptoms in 46% of patients, while 96% of patients managed with CDT + FFR were symptom free at end of follow up. Superiority of CDT + FRR compared with AC, CDT + AC, and AC + FRR was confirmed by meta-analysis. The overall quality of included reports was moderate, and the level of certainty was very low.

Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) symptoms are prevalent and often confused with other diagnoses. A PubMed search was undertaken to present a comprehensive article addressing the presentation and treatment for TOS.
This article summarizes what is currently published about TOS, its etiologies, common objective findings, and nonsurgical treatment options.
The PubMed database was conducted for the range of May 2020 to September 2021 utilizing TOS-related Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms. A Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) systematic literature review was conducted to identify the most common etiologies, the most objective findings, and the most effective nonsurgical treatment options for TOS.
The search identified 1,188 articles. The automated merge feature removed duplicate articles. The remaining 1,078 citations were manually reviewed, with articles published prior to 2010 removed (n=771). Of the remaining 307 articles, duplicate citations not removed by automated means were removed manually (n=3). The other exclusion criteria included: non-English language (n=21); no abstracts available (n=56); and case reports of TOS occurring from complications of fractures, medical or surgical procedures, novel surgical approaches, or abnormal anatomy (n=42). Articles over 5 years old pertaining to therapeutic intervention (mostly surgical) were removed (n=18). Articles pertaining specifically to osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) were sparse and all were utilized (n=6). A total of 167 articles remained. The authors added a total of 20 articles that fell outside of the search criteria, as they considered them to be historic in nature with regards to TOS (n=8), were related specifically to OMT (n=4), or were considered sentinel articles relating to specific therapeutic interventions (n=8). A total of 187 articles were utilized in the final preparation of this manuscript. A final search was conducted prior to submission for publication to check for updated articles. Symptoms of hemicranial and/or upper-extremity pain and paresthesias should lead a physician to evaluate for musculoskeletal etiologies that may be contributing to the compression of the brachial plexus. The best initial provocative test to screen for TOS is the upper limb tension test (ULTT) because a negative test suggests against brachial plexus compression. A positive ULTT should be followed up with an elevated arm stress test (EAST) to further support the diagnosis. If TOS is suspected, additional diagnostic testing such as ultrasound, electromyography (EMG), or magnetic resonance imaging/magnetic resonance angiography (MRI/MRA) might be utilized to further distinguish the vascular or neurological etiologies of the symptoms. Initial treatment for neurogenic TOS (nTOS) is often conservative. Data are limited, therefore there is no conclusive evidence that any one treatment method or combination is more effective. Surgery in nTOS is considered for refractory cases only. Anticoagulation and surgical decompression remain the treatment of choice for vascular versions of TOS.
The most common form of TOS is neurogenic. The most common symptoms are pain and paresthesias of the head, neck, and upper extremities. Diagnosis of nTOS is clinical, and the best screening test is the ULTT. There is no conclusive evidence that any one treatment method is more effective for nTOS, given limitations in the published data. Surgical decompression remains the treatment of choice for vascular forms of TOS.

Paget-Schroetter syndrome, also known as venous thoracic outlet syndrome, is primarily an effort-induced thrombosis of the subclavian and axillary veins. Treatment modalities involve systemic anticoagulation, catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT), and surgical decompression. Early endovascular intervention is noted to improve outcomes and result in symptomatic relief. Here we implore the usage of the novel mechanical aspiration thrombectomy device as an adjunct to CDT for the management of peripheral venous thrombosis and highlight it as a treatment option resulting in substantial radiological and symptomatic improvement.

Paget-Schroetter syndrome (PSS) is a primary deep venous thrombosis of the subclavian-axillary vein complex occurring after repetitive and strenuous use of the shoulders and arms. Here, we report the case of a 24-year-old man who presented with left subclavian and axillary vein thrombosis after loading and unloading labor, who was diagnosed with PSS confirmed with Doppler ultrasound, and treated with anticoagulation. By comparing our case with 45 published case reports, we also aim to analyze patient characteristics, diagnostic methods, and treatment options for the disorder.

Paget-Schroetter syndrome (PSS) is a primary upper extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT) that occurs with no significant risk factors, mostly in a young and healthy patient. Treatment of this disease is discussed heavily in the literature and the optimal treatment method is still being debated. Here, we present a patient with PSS treated with balloon angioplasty, thrombolysis and treatment with an oral thrombin inhibitor (apixaban) who developed recurrence of PSS. A 38-year-old white male with no past medical history, presented to an urgent care center with sudden onset axillary pain and an axillary lump that was treated with outpatient antibiotics. Extensive deep venous thrombosis was diagnosed with computed tomography (CT) and ultrasound. He underwent percutaneous pharmacomechanical thrombectomy. Postprocedural angiogram showed significant improvement in the caliber of the axillary and subclavian veins where they crossed the first rib. He was discharged on apixaban and underwent removal of his first rib 1 month later. He returned 3 weeks later with recurrence of right arm pain and swelling. Repeat ultrasound showed thrombus in the right arm and venogram confirmed 80% stenosis at the subclavian vein as it enters the innominate vein. He was again treated with placement of a thrombolytic catheter and overnight thrombolysis of the central venous circulation on the right-side upper extremity balloon angioplasty of the subclavian vein, axillary vein, and basilic vein. He is disease-free for 6 months. Recurrence of PSS after surgical removal of rib, thrombectomy, thrombolysis while using apixaban is very rare. This is the first case to our knowledge presented with recurrent PSS treated with apixaban, early rib resection, balloon angioplasty and thrombectomy.

There is currently no general agreement on the optimal treatment of Paget-Schroetter syndrome. Most centers have advocated an interventional approach that is based on the results of small institutional series. The purpose of our meta-analysis was to focus on the safety and efficacy of thrombolysis or anticoagulation with decompression therapy. A detailed description of the epidemiologic, etiologic, and clinical characteristics, along with radiologic findings and treatment option details, was also performed.
The current meta-analysis was conducted using the PRISMA guidelines. Studies reporting on spontaneous thrombosis or thrombosis after strenuous activities of axillary-subclavian vein were considered eligible. Analyses of all retrospective studies were conducted, and pooled proportions with 95% confidence intervals of outcome rates were calculated.
Twenty-five studies with 1511 patients were identified. Among these patients, 1177 (77.9%) had thrombolysis, 658 (43.5%) had anticoagulation, and 1293 (85.6%) patients had decompression therapy of the thoracic outlet. Complete thrombus resolution was estimated at 78.11% of the patients after thrombolysis, and the respective pooled proportion for partial resolution of thrombus was 23.72%. Despite thrombolytic therapy, 212 patients underwent additional balloon angioplasty for residual stenosis, although only 36 stents were implanted. After anticoagulation, a total of 40.70% of the patients had complete thrombus resolution, whereas partial resolution was occurred in 29.13% of the patients. During follow-up, a total of 51.75% of the patients with any initial treatment modality had no remaining thrombus, and 84.87% of these patients were free of symptoms. We also estimated that 76.88% of the patients had a Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score of <20, indicating no or mild symptoms after treatment. A subgroup meta-analysis with 20 studies and 1309 patients, showed significantly improved vein patency and symptom resolution in patients who had first rib resection with or without venoplasty, compared with those who had only thrombolysis.
Although no randomized controlled data are available, our analysis strongly suggested higher rates of thrombus and symptoms resolution with thrombolysis, followed by first rib resection. A prospective randomized trial comparing anticoagulants with thrombolysis and decompression of thoracic outlet is required.

Venous compression syndromes are rare and occur due to the entrapment of vein(s) in confined anatomical spaces bounded by osseous and non-osseous structures. Here we present a review of Paget-Schroetter Syndrome, an important cause of upper extremity of deep vein thrombosis, its associated clinical and radiological findings as well as treatment options.

Paget-Schroetter is a rare diagnosis in the general population; however, it is more common in younger, physically active individuals. Clinicians must be familiar with the symptoms, physical examination, and initial imaging and treatment to expedite care and prevent possible life-threatening complications. Urgent referral to a regional specialist may improve the opportunity for thrombolysis to restore blood flow through the subclavian vein and to decrease the chance of pulmonary embolus, recurrent thrombosis, or need for vein grafting, as well as to improve the time to return to full activity (athletics and/or manual labor).