As part of our efforts to develop a broad consortium of physicians and therapists dedicated to improving understanding of TOS, the Washington University Center for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome at Barnes-Jewish Hospital hosted the first-ever national symposium entirely focused on TOS at Washington University on October 23-24, 2009.

This symposium, entitled “Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: Challenges, Controversies, and Consensus, consisted of two components:

A patient support and advocacy conference sponsored by the American TOS Association (ATOSA). This conference addressed a broad group of topics important to the care of patients with TOS, with presentations by physicians, therapists and other specialists, as well as patients, from across the country. There was ample opportunity for interaction and the chance to build supportive relationships that can be vital to patient outcomes.

A professional conference of physicians and therapists, sponsored by the Consortium for Outcomes Research and Education on Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (CORE-TOS), Washington University School of Medicine, and Barnes-Jewish Hospital. This conference featured presentations and panel discussions by leading experts on all forms of TOS from around the United States, with updates on the most current approaches and results of various specialists and an aim toward identifying the most important priorities for improving the diagnosis and treatment of TOS over the next several years.

Professional TOS conference update

This inaugural, nationwide conference, focusing exclusively on TOS and related conditions, brought together a group of physicians and other professionals with the appropriate experience, expertise, and dedicated interests in upper extremity neurovascular compression disorders.

This multidisciplinary conference included a select group of presentations and discussions led by speakers with expertise in neurovascular compression syndromes of the upper extremity. The speakers and audience consisted of individuals specializing in the following fields:

Anesthesiology
Clinical and Translational Research
Diagnostic Radiology
Hematology and Thrombosis
Interventional Radiology
Neurosurgery
Orthopaedic Surgery
Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Sports Medicine
Vascular Surgery

Chiropractic Medicine
Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Hand Surgery
Internal Medicine
Neurology
Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Pain Management
Performing Arts Medicine
Physical and Occupational Therapy
Psychology and Psychiatry
Thoracic Surgery
Workplace Injury