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Abstract Details

Treatment of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome in Outcome of Chronic Headaches
Headache
P8 - Poster Session 8 (11:45 AM-12:45 PM)
15-006

To determine the impact on headaches of treating concurrent thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) in patients with chronic headaches.

TOS is known for upper extremity symptoms such as numbness, weakness, pain, and paresthesia but about 50% of patients with TOS experience headaches. Treating TOS may improve headaches.

Patients with chronic headaches who underwent treatment for concurrent TOS completed a post treatment questionnaire on the impact on headache after TOS treatment.

25 patients (2 men, 23 women, median age =45 years, range 25-67 years) participated.  Fifteen/25 patients reported side-locked headaches; 19/25 reported chronic daily headaches. The most common area of pain was at the skull base (11/25). Others symptoms included:  cognitive problems (16/25), visual blurring (11/25), chest pain (11/25), vertigo (10/25), mid-scapular pain (10/25), ear pressure (9/25), tinnitus (8/25), sinus pressure (7/25), hemifacial spasms (6/25), syncope (5/25), and facial flushing (4/25). Interventions included unilateral or bilateral 1st rib removal (16/25), scalenectomies (6/25), venoplasties (9/25), pectoralis minor tendon releases (3/25), and vein patches (3/25).  Resolution of headache days ranged from 100% (4/13), 75% (2/13), 25-50% (2/13), and 0% (5/13) after rib resection (13/16 reported). Other therapies improved headaches in 2/8 (75% and 100% each, 0% in 6/8). 4 patients did not make a report on headache response. Medication use reduction included: 4/5 on narcotics, 5/5 on butalbital, 6/9 on triptans, 9/17 on anti-inflammatories, 5/9 on combination analgesics. One patient who had multiple surgeries in the interim increased narcotic use. On a 5-point Likert scale of strongly agree (2) to strongly disagree (-2), the change for “I am fully functional at work," was all towards agree (range 0-4, mean 1.22+/-1.48); similarly, “I am fully functional at home.” (range 0-3, mean 1.17+/-1.34).

Chronic headaches can be important manifestations of TOS that can improve with treatment of TOS. TOS can manifest with other cranial symptoms.   

Authors/Disclosures
Yoon-Hee Cha, MD, FAAN (University of Minnesota)
PRESENTER
The institution of Dr. Cha has received research support from Mal de Debarquement Balance Disorders Foundation. Dr. Cha has received research support from University of Minnesota. Dr. Cha has received research support from MNDrive.
No disclosure on file