What Is Thoracic Outlet Syndrome?
9. Diagnosis
Nonspecific-type thoracic outlet syndrome can be particularly difficult to diagnose due to the lack of identifiable underlying causes. Regardless, the doctor is likely to want to perform a physical exam, and ask you questions about your lifestyle and your medical history. X-rays, ultrasounds, and other imaging techniques may be performed to help get a look at the structure of the thoracic outlet.
Provocation tests may also be performed, which means doctors will try and reproduce the patient’s symptoms. Tests can also be undertaken to help evaluate the performance of the patient’s nerves, and an electromyography can help to measure the flow of electricity flowing through the muscles.
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