This extensively revised edition is an essential reference for physicians involved in the diagnosis, referral and treatment of the thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS). TOS is made up of a constellation of problems resulting from pathology at the thoracic outlet in the neck. Busy specialty practice sees multiple affected patients in every clinic, but TOS can often be difficult to diagnosis.
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome explores all possible ancillary care issues surrounding this complex condition, including rehabilitation, disability, natural history and medicolegal issues, and aims to stimulate research, discussion and a sense of community between professionals involved in this area. Vascular and thoracic surgeons, neurosurgeons, neurologists, psychiatrists and psychologists, physical therapists, occupational medicine specialists and pain specialists will find this book a must read for successful treatment, referral and diagnosis of TOS in clinical practice.
About the Author: Dr. Illig relocated to the Dialysis Access Institute in Orangeburg, SC, the busiest multidisciplinary dialysis access center in the country, in 2018. Formerly Chief of Vascular Surgery at the University of Rochester and the University of South Florida, Dr. Illig has been practicing vascular surgery for 32 years. Involved in all aspects of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, his major interests in this area include venous outflow stenosis in patients with arteriovenous access, recurrent neurogenic TOS, and education on this topic as a whole; he is particularly proud of his contributions (along with Hugh Gelabert) to the TOS Centre of Excellence in Great Britain. He is past president of the Vascular and Endovascular Surgical Society, a former member of the American Board of Surgery/Vascular Surgery Board, and an Academic Fellow of the Society for Vascular Surgery.
Robert W. Thompson, MD is the Director of the Washington University Center for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO. Dr. Thompson is an experienced research investigator who has studied the basic science pathobiology of abdominal aortic aneurysms, translational research on vascular disease, and clinical outcomes research on thoracic outlet syndromes. His clinical program is focused on all forms of thoracic outlet syndrome and upper extremity neurovascular compression disorders. The surgical management of patients with TOS is an area for which he has acquired an unusually rich experience and for which his expertise is widely sought. In building a nationally recognized referral center for patients with TOS at Washington University, Dr. Thompson has worked to develop a highly knowledgeable staff and an effective multidisciplinary collaborative team, which includes experts in physical therapy and rehabilitation, anesthesia and pain management, diagnostic and interventional radiology, and other related specialties.
Julie A. Freischlag, MD is the Chief Executive Officer and Dean of Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center that includes Wake Forest Baptist Health, a growing, multi-hospital health system and physician network, the state-of-the-art and highly competitive Wake Forest School of Medicine, and Wake Forest Innovations, its technology transfer, commercialization enterprise. As CEO and Dean, she has the overall responsibility for the Medical Center's clinical, academic and innovation enterprises and its annual operating budget of $3.5B. In addition to serving in various national and international leadership roles, she mentors students, residents and young faculty and is a frequent speaker on topics ranging from her expertise in vascular diseases including thoracic outlet syndrome, teamwork and patient safety, leadership and work-life balance to women succeeding in health professions. She continues to care for and operate upon those patients with thoracic outlet syndrome and teach vascular residents and fellows to do the same. Freischlag has dedicated her career to serving as a role model for her students, a respected colleague across health professions, a strong community leader and a national voice for improving health and health care.
Dean M. Donahue, MD, is the Director of the Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Program in the Division of Thoracic Surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital. He also serves at the thoracic surgery consultant for the New England Patriots, the Boston Bruins and the Boston Red Sox, as well as numerous collegiate sports teams.