Thoracic Outlet Duplex

Thoracic outlet duplex is an ultrasound scan of the arteries and veins around your clavicle in your shoulder. The subclavian artery is the first part of the pathway of taking blood from your heart to the muscles in your arms and hands. The subclavian vein is the vessel that returns the blood from your arms back to your heart.

These blood vessels have to pass underneath the clavicle, this is the medical name for the collarbone, and over the ribs. Sometimes this space is compromised and the artery and vein can become compressed, this is usually when you are doing something with your arms, typically for a prolonged period. For example, paddling whilst surfing or holding a hairdryer to dry your hair.

Symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome can be varied but usually include soreness, pain or tingling in the muscles in the arms or hands, swelling of the arm. Sometimes with the swelling you may see prominent veins across your shoulder, neck and upper chest.

The vascular sonographer is able to perform a dynamic scan of the arteries and the veins in your shoulder to determine if there is any compression. To do this the sonographer will use the ultrasound machine to look at the artery and vein whilst you move your arm in specific positions. We use a range of standard positions but sometimes the sonographer will ask you if there are any specific things you do that cause your symptoms. They will try to recreate that position within the limits of being able to perform the scan.