Duplex ultrasonography in the diagnosis of compression of vascular structures at the level of the upper thoracic outlet

: In order to determinate place of compression and degree of haemodynamic disturbance we examined 34 patient and 30 asymptomatic volunteers. By duplex scan we studied retroscalenal part of subclavian artery. Using real-time (B-mode) imaging we founded significant reduction of lumen diameter of subclavian artery during Adsonś, manoeuvre in 51% of cases. We examined haemodynamic changes during Adsonś, costoclavicular and hyper-abduction manoeuvre and found significant changes in linear blood velocity, reduction of blood flow and turbulence in 91% of cases. Adsonś manoeuvre was positive in 52%, costoclavicular in 29% and hyper-abduction (to 90 degrees) in 19% of cases. Place of compression we founded in 82% of cases by duplex ultrasonography prospectively, but using other methods respectively we located compression in 91% of cases.