ReviewJSES reviews, reports, and techniques2022
Pectoralis minor syndrome - review of pathoanatomy, diagnosis, and management of the primary cause of neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome.
Review in JSES reviews, reports, and techniques, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 19 papers.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Who cites it
19 citing papers in PubMed, 24 citations in OpenAlex.
- Human Disharmony Loop: The Role of the Pectoralis Minor in Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open · 2026Article
- Article
- Defining Diagnostic Criteria for Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: An Expert Consensus.Orthopaedic journal of sports medicine · 2026Article
- Shoulder Instability from Scapular Dyskinesia: How Rebalancing the Scapula Stabilizes the Shoulder.Current reviews in musculoskeletal medicine · 2026Review
- Cadaveric and Ultrasound-Guided Evaluation of Two Needling Approaches Targeting the Pectoralis Minor Muscle: A Pilot Feasibility Study.Journal of functional morphology and kinesiology · 2026Article
- The human disharmony loop: high rates of return to work in intractable workers' compensation patients undergoing surgical release of the pectoralis minor with infraclavicular neurolysis.Journal of orthopaedic surgery and research · 2026Article
- Neuromuscular ultrasound of the brachial plexus: know-how, know-when.Clinical neurophysiology practice · 2026Review
- The Human Disharmony Loop: The Anatomic Source Behind Subacromial Impingement and Pain.Journal of clinical medicine · 2025Article
- Scapulohumeral rhythm, posterior capsule stiffness, shoulder muscle strength and flexibility in young unilateral and bilateral overhead athletes.BMC musculoskeletal disorders · 2025Article
- Endoscopy for neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome: effectiveness and safety assessments.JSES international · 2025Article
- Arthroscopic Pectoralis Minor Release.Arthroscopy techniques · 2025Article
- Article
- Article
- Upper Crossed Syndrome and Scapulae Upper-Trapping: A Mesotherapy Protocol in Cervicoscapulobrachial Pain-The 8:1 Block.Bioengineering (Basel, Switzerland) · 2024Article
- A comprehensive review of scapulothoracic abnormal motion (STAM): evaluation, classification, and treatment strategies.Acta orthopaedica et traumatologica turcica · 2024Review
- Dynamically rebalancing the unstable shoulder in Ehlers-Danlos syndrome: latissimus dorsi transfer for posterior shoulder instability.JSES international · 2024Article
- Immediate improvement of pain and mobility in the postoperative stiff shoulder following release of the median nerve at Lacertus: a report of 2 cases.JSES reviews, reports, and techniques · 2024Article
- Serratus anterior palsy as a Masquerader: utilizing novel digital dynamic radiography for diagnosis and treatment response.JSES international · 2024Article
- Arthroscopic Pectoralis Minor Release and Infraclavicular Brachial Plexus Decompression for Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: A Novel Treatment for an Old Problem.JB & JS open accessArticle
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
9 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Thoracic outlet syndrome is an umbrella term for compressive pathologies in the supraclavicular and infraclavicular fossae, with the vast majority being neurogenic in nature. These compressive neuropathies, such as pectoralis minor syndrome, can be challenging problems for both patients and physicians. Robust understanding of thoracic outlet anatomy and scapulothoracic biomechanics are necessary to distinguish neurogenic vs. vascular disorders and properly diagnose affected patients. Repetitive overhead activity, particularly when combined with scapular dyskinesia, leads to pectoralis minor shortening, decreased volume of the retropectoralis minor space, and subsequent brachial plexus compression causing neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome. Combining a thorough history, physical examination, and diagnostic modalities including ultrasound-guided injections are necessary to arrive at the correct diagnosis. Rigorous attention must be paid to rule out alternate etiologies such as peripheral neuropathies, vascular disorders, cervical radiculopathy, and space-occupying lesions. Initial nonoperative treatment with pectoralis minor stretching, as well as periscapular and postural retraining, is successful in the majority of patients. For patients that fail nonoperative management, surgical release of the pectoralis minor may be performed through a variety of approaches. Both open and arthroscopic pectoralis minor release may be performed safely with effective resolution of neurogenic symptoms. When further indicated by the preoperative workup, this can be combined with suprascapular nerve release and brachial plexus neurolysis for complete infraclavicular thoracic outlet decompression.
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.