Thoracic outlet syndrome in an adolescent with bilateral bifid ribs.

Reported here is a 13-year-old girl suffering from pain in her right lower neck region and the shoulder for the preceding 2-3 years. She was diagnosed to have right thoracic outlet syndrome due to bifid ribs--caused by the bony fusion of the variant cervical rib. She was operated via supraclavicular approach, whereby the variant cervical rib and the fibrous bands were excised. She was found to be quite improved 1 month after surgery. Thoracic outlet syndrome, a rare disease of childhood, is discussed in the light of the relevant literature.