TOSIC brings together the surgeons, neurologists, radiologists, physiotherapists and researchers who treat thoracic outlet syndrome, so that diagnosis, treatment and reporting follow the same standard wherever the patient is seen.
Neurogenic, venous and arterial TOS behave differently — and are still reported as if they were one condition.
Everything the collaborative publishes — registry fields, case discussions, consensus statements and education — is separated along these three lines, so that data from one center can be compared with data from another.
Neurogenic
Brachial plexus compression
By far the most common form. Pain, paraesthesia and weakness in the arm and hand, typically worse with overhead or sustained activity. Diagnosis rests on history, examination and the exclusion of other causes rather than on a single test.
Venous
Subclavian vein compression
Presents with arm swelling, heaviness and bluish discolouration, often after repetitive effort. May develop into effort thrombosis (Paget–Schroetter syndrome), where the timing of thrombolysis and decompression is decisive.
Arterial
Subclavian artery compression
The least common and the most urgent. Usually associated with a bony anomaly such as a cervical rib, and may present with ischaemia, coldness, claudication of the arm or distal embolisation.
Fifty-two panellists from nineteen countries will rate 34 statements on positional imaging, duplex protocols and reporting thresholds across three anonymous rounds.
Thirty-eight centers, twenty-one countries, one directory.
Every listed center has been reviewed by the collaborative and publishes its team, services and contact details. Patients and referring physicians can search the map directly; centers can apply to be listed.
Membership is free while the collaborative is being established.
Members gain the private document library, case discussions, the member directory, the education library, research participation and a downloadable membership certificate. Applications are reviewed individually.