1181 Thoracic Outlet Syndrome - A Miss(Ed) Diagnosis-Delayed Diagnosis Of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Is Common And Leads To Poorer Functional Outcomes

Thoracic outlet syndrome was first defined by Peet in 1956 as “compression of the neurovascular structures in the interscalene triangle corresponding to the possible etiology of the symptoms”.1 Diagnosis of TOCS still remains controversial due to lack of clear referral pathways and our study aims to create one to prevent adverse treatment outcomes. Method A retrospective audit in a single vascular centre over a 11-year period correlating time of onset of symptoms to delivery of care and post intervention benefits Results Total of 50 patients were analysed during the study. 30 percent of the patients analysed were noted to be referred to a vascular surgeon 3 years post the initial presentation of symptoms. 60 percent were noted to be referred between 6-2.5 years post initial presentation. Remaining 10 percent were noted to be referred in less than 6 years. It was noted that patients belonging to the group Acohort were noted to have recurrence of symptoms, albeit minor post intervention and treatment of TOCS. Whereas recurrence was noted to be nil/ reduced in the patients intervened in less than 2 years from onset of symptoms. Furthermore, the study also noted that more than 50 percent patients with neurogenic/ venous TOCS had a history of preceeding trauma/ shoulder injury and were noted to be not investigated for TOCS. Conclusions Our study lends evidence that delayed diagnosis of thoracic outlet syndrome is common and leads to poorer functional and treatment outcomes. Hence a diagnostic pathway must be proposed and implemented at primary care which caters to diagnosis of TOCS, to avoid delays in delivery of adequate care and treatment.