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Weninger JT, Pruidze P, Didava G, Rossmann T, Geyer SH, Meng S, Weninger WJ. Axillary arch (of Langer): A large-scale dissection and simulation study based on unembalmed cadavers of body donors. J Anat 2024; 244:448-457. [PMID: 37965841 PMCID: PMC10862185 DOI: 10.1111/joa.13976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Connective or muscular tissue crossing the axilla is named axillary arch (of Langer). It is known to complicate axillary surgery and to compress nerves and vessels transiting from the axilla to the arm. Our study aims at systematically researching the frequency, insertions, tissue composition and dimension of axillary arches in a large cohort of individuals with regard to gender and bilaterality. In addition, it aims at evaluating the ability of axillary arches to cause compression of the axillary neurovascular bundle. Four hundred axillae from 200 unembalmed and previously unharmed cadavers were investigated by careful anatomical dissection. Identified axillary arches were examined for tissue composition and insertion. Length, width and thickness were measured. The relation of the axillary arch and the neurovascular axillary bundle was recorded after passive arm movements. Twenty-seven axillae of 18 cadavers featured axillary arches. Macroscopically, 15 solely comprised muscular tissue, six connective tissue and six both. Their average length was 79.56 mm, width 7.44 mm and thickness 2.30 mm. One to three distinct insertions were observed. After passive abduction and external rotation of the arm, 17 arches (63%) touched the neurovascular axillary bundle. According to our results, 9% of the Central European population feature an axillary arch. Approximately 50% of it bilaterally. A total of 40.74% of the arches have a thickness of 3 mm or more and 63% bear the potential of touching or compressing the neuromuscular axillary bundle upon arm movement.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paata Pruidze
- Division of AnatomyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Giorgi Didava
- Division of AnatomyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Tobias Rossmann
- Division of AnatomyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
- Department of Neurosurgery, Neuromed CampusKepler University HospitalLinzAustria
| | - Stefan H. Geyer
- Division of AnatomyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Stefan Meng
- Division of AnatomyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
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Garraud T, Pomares G, Daley P, Menu P, Dauty M, Fouasson-Chailloux A. Thoracic Outlet Syndrome in Sport: A Systematic Review. Front Physiol 2022; 13:838014. [PMID: 35755427 PMCID: PMC9214221 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.838014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is a rare and heterogeneous syndrome secondary to a compression of the neurovascular bundle in the thoracic outlet area. Muscle hypertrophy is recognized to induce vascular or neurogenic compression, especially in sports involving upper-arm solicitation. Athletes represent a distinctive population because of a specific management due to an ambitious objective, which is returning to high-level competition. We evaluated the scientific literature available for the management of TOS in athletes. Article research extended to March 2021 without other restriction concerning the date of articles publication. The search was performed independently by two assessors. A first preselection based on the article titles was produced, regarding their availability in English or French and a second preselection was produced after reading the abstracts. In case of doubt, a third assessor’s advice was asked. Case reports were selected only if the sport involved was documented, as well as the level of practice. Cohorts were included if data about the number and the sport level of athletes were detailed. Seventy-eight articles were selected including 40 case reports, 10 clinical studies and 28 reviews of literature. Baseball pitchers seem to be highly at risk of developing a TOS. The surgical management appears particularly frequent in this specific population. The prognosis of TOS in athletes seems to be better than in the general population, possibly due to their better physical condition and their younger age. Some studies showed interesting and encouraging results concerning return to previous sport level. Literature shows a strong link between TOS and certain sports. Unfortunately, this syndrome still lacks rigorous diagnostic criteria and management guidelines for athletes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Garraud
- Hôpital Privé du Confluent, Rhumatologie, Nantes, France.,Service de Médecine du Sport, CHU Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Germain Pomares
- Institut Européen de la Main, Luxembourg. Luxembourg.,Medical Training Center, Hopital Kirchberg, Luxembourg. Luxembourg
| | - Pauline Daley
- Service de Médecine du Sport, CHU Nantes, Nantes, France.,CHU Nantes, Service de Médecine Physique et Réadaptation Locomotrice et Respiratoire, Nantes, France
| | - Pierre Menu
- Service de Médecine du Sport, CHU Nantes, Nantes, France.,CHU Nantes, Service de Médecine Physique et Réadaptation Locomotrice et Respiratoire, Nantes, France.,Inserm, UMR 1229, RMeS, Regenerative Medicine and Skeleton, Université de Nantes, ONIRIS, Nantes, France.,IRMS, Institut Régional de Médecine du Sport, Nantes, France
| | - Marc Dauty
- Service de Médecine du Sport, CHU Nantes, Nantes, France.,CHU Nantes, Service de Médecine Physique et Réadaptation Locomotrice et Respiratoire, Nantes, France.,Inserm, UMR 1229, RMeS, Regenerative Medicine and Skeleton, Université de Nantes, ONIRIS, Nantes, France.,IRMS, Institut Régional de Médecine du Sport, Nantes, France
| | - Alban Fouasson-Chailloux
- Service de Médecine du Sport, CHU Nantes, Nantes, France.,CHU Nantes, Service de Médecine Physique et Réadaptation Locomotrice et Respiratoire, Nantes, France.,Inserm, UMR 1229, RMeS, Regenerative Medicine and Skeleton, Université de Nantes, ONIRIS, Nantes, France.,IRMS, Institut Régional de Médecine du Sport, Nantes, France
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Taterra D, Henry BM, Zarzecki MP, Sanna B, Pękala PA, Cirocchi R, Walocha JA, Tubbs RS, Tomaszewski KA. Prevalence and anatomy of the axillary arch and its implications in surgical practice: A meta-analysis. Surgeon 2018; 17:43-51. [PMID: 29801707 DOI: 10.1016/j.surge.2018.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Revised: 04/11/2018] [Accepted: 04/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The following research aimed to investigate the prevalence and anatomical features of the axillary arch (AA) - a muscular, tendinous or musculotendinous slip arising from the latissimus dorsi and that terminates in various structures around the shoulder girdle. The AA may complicate axillary lymph node biopsy or breast reconstruction surgery and may cause thoracic outlet syndrome. METHODS Major electronic databases were thoroughly searched for studies on the AA and its variations. Data regarding the prevalence, morphology, laterality, origin, insertion and innervation of the AA was extracted and included in this meta-analysis. The AQUA tool was used in order to assess potential risk of bias within the included studies. RESULTS The AA was reported in 29 studies (10,222 axillas), and its pooled prevalence estimate in this meta-analysis was found to be 5.3% of the axillas: unilaterally (61.6%) and bilaterally (38.4%). It was predominantly muscular (55.1% of the patients with the AA), originated from the latissimus dorsi muscle or tendon (87.3% of the patients with the AA), inserted into the pectoralis major muscle or fascia (35.2% of the patients with the AA), and was most commonly innervated by the thoracodorsal nerve (39.9% of the patients with the AA). CONCLUSION The AA is a relatively common variant, hence it should not be neglected. Oncologists and surgeons should consider this variant while diagnosing an unknown palpable mass in the axilla, as the arch might mimic a neoplasm or enlarged lymph nodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Taterra
- International Evidence-Based Anatomy Working Group, Kraków, Poland; Department of Anatomy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland
| | | | - Michał P Zarzecki
- International Evidence-Based Anatomy Working Group, Kraków, Poland; Department of Anatomy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland
| | - Beatrice Sanna
- International Evidence-Based Anatomy Working Group, Kraków, Poland; Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Przemysław A Pękala
- International Evidence-Based Anatomy Working Group, Kraków, Poland; Department of Anatomy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland
| | - Roberto Cirocchi
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Radiology and Dentistry, University of Perugia, Italy
| | - Jerzy A Walocha
- International Evidence-Based Anatomy Working Group, Kraków, Poland; Department of Anatomy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland
| | | | - Krzysztof A Tomaszewski
- International Evidence-Based Anatomy Working Group, Kraków, Poland; Department of Anatomy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland
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