[Evaluation of the usefulness of stress tests in diagnosis of thoracic outlet syndrome with upper limb ischemia].

The analysis of the stress manoeuver tests in patients with upper limb ischemia due to the thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) was performed. Stress manoeuvre tests (Adson, hiperabduction, costo-clavicular, modified Adson test and AER test) were found useful in the diagnosis of TOS. However they do not allow to differentiate the mechanism of compression. It is important to observe the clinical symptoms of arm ischemia during the time of manoeuvre performance. The positive result of the one test only, especially AER or modified Adson test has little diagnostic value.