A variety of imaging modalities have been utilized in the study of thorascic outlet syndrome. Although each have applications in the diagnosis of this condition, MRI is excellent for demonstrating soft tissue detail including the muscles, nerves, blood vessels and fatty areas of the thoracic outlet, produces no ionizing radiation, utilizes gadolinium contrast material for the evaluation of blood vessels (which has considerably fewer adverse effects than does iodinated contrast material), and creates images in multiple planes. However, MRI scanning requires more time than does CT scanning, and bony structures are less obvious on MRI than they are on CT. However, in experienced hands, MRI defines all of the vital structures of the thoracic outlet, and is the best modality for ruling out spinal stenosis and neural foraminal stenosis, which are important in the differential diagnosis in these patients.
