Pancoast Syndrome Accompanied by Rotator Cuff Tear

Nam,  Seung Oh; Shin,  Dongju; Park,  Kihong; Kim,  Tae Kyun; Kim,  Han Sang

doi:2015.18.1.43

Clin Shoulder Elb > Volume 18(1); 2015 > Article

Case Report

Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow 2015;18(1):43-46.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5397/cise.2015.18.1.43 Published online March 31, 2015.

Pancoast Syndrome Accompanied by Rotator Cuff Tear

Seung Oh Nam, Dongju Shin, Kihong Park, Tae Kyun Kim, Han Sang Kim

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Daegu Fatima Hospital, Daegu, Korea. aabga@hanmail.net

Received: 11 October 2014 • Revised: 29 December 2014 • Accepted: 1 January 2015

Abstract

Pancoast syndrome (PS) is characterized by a malignant neoplasm of the superior sulcus of the lung with destructive lesions of the thoracic inlet and involvement of the brachial plexus and cervical sympathetic nerves. The most common initial symptom of PS is shoulder pain; however, cough, dyspnea, and hemoptysis, signs often associated with lung cancer, are not as common. Investigation of PS can be difficult even with plain radiographs of the chest because it is surrounded by osseous structures such as the ribs, vertebral bodies, and manubrium. Due to these characteristics, orthopedic surgeons tend to make a misdiagnosis resulting in delay of appropriate treatment. Here we report on a patient who was supposed to undergo rotator cuff repair for his shoulder pain and weakness, and was eventually diagnosed with PS.

Key Words: Pancoast syndrome; Rotator cuff tear; Superior vena cava syndrome