Neurovascular Disorders About the Shoulder

A neurovascular disorder in the shoulder involves the impairment of one or more of the structures of the brachial plexus or the nerve controlling the scapulothoracic muscles during their journey between the neck and the axilla. The damage of specific neurovascular structures at particular anatomical sites will lead to the onset of different syndromes. Although they are not a frequent pathology, their diagnosis can be difficult for the surgeon and requires a thorough knowledge of the clinical examination. Apart from traumatic or iatrogenic neurovascular complications, the most recognized neurovascular disorder of the shoulder is the Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS). In this chapter, the authors describe the TOS along with a few other clinical entities including the Pectoralis minor syndrome (PMS) and the most frequent neurovascular complications encountered at the level of the shoulder.