Anterior Scalene Syndrome

Anterior scalene syndrome: symptoms, causes and treatment.

Anterior scalene syndrome, also known as Naffziger syndrome, scalene syndrome, or scalenus syndrome, is a condition caused by compression of the nerves and vessels passing through the anterior scalene muscle. This condition can lead to pain, numbness and weakness in the neck, shoulder and arm. In this article we will look at the symptoms, causes and treatments for this condition.

Symptoms of Anterior Scalene Syndrome may include:

1. Pain in the neck, shoulder, and arm that may get worse with movement or weight bearing on the arm.
2. Numbness or tingling in the hand, especially in the fingers.
3. Weakness in the arm, which can lead to difficulty performing everyday tasks.

These symptoms may be caused by compression of the nerves and blood vessels passing through the anterior scalene muscle, which is located in the neck. This can happen due to muscle damage, overexertion, or even abnormal muscle development.

To diagnose Anterior Scalene syndrome, your doctor may do a physical exam and ask you a series of questions about your symptoms. He may also order an X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or electromyography (EMG) to assess the extent of the damage.

Treatment for Anterior Scalene Syndrome may include some changes in your lifestyle, such as reducing stress on your arm and neck, doing stretching exercises, and physical therapy. In more severe cases, when conservative treatment does not work, surgery may be required to release compressed nerves and blood vessels.

Overall, Anterior Scalene Syndrome can be quite painful and interfere with daily tasks, but with the right treatment, most people cope with the condition. If you experience the symptoms described above, see your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

**Anterior scalene syndrome*** (anterior scalenum)* is a complex of neurological and vascular symptoms caused by compression of the median axillary artery by the interscalene muscle. It is associated with injury to this part of the shoulder.

**Causes**

The syndrome can be caused by such reasons as: * injuries that cause paralysis of the part of the diaphragm surrounding the narrowing of the space in the upper third of the median nerve; * shoulder bruises; * damage to the diaphragm in various diseases; * tumors of the median nerve foramen.

In any case, the anterior scalene arteries, due to the effects of pathology, are compressed and exert pressure on the median nerve that exceeds its normal physiological capabilities. At the same time, the patient’s blood supply to the tissues of his arms (especially the shoulder girdle) begins to deteriorate, and their motor activity decreases. The following symptoms of pathology are observed:

1. Painful sensations in the shoulder region. They vary in nature - from aching to acute in their manifestations. Usually localized at the level of the height of the clavicle or at a short distance towards the neck. Often accompanied by autonomic disorders, expressed in the form of pulse fluctuations. 2. Spasmodic condition of the interscalene nerve