Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L00681:reg:6
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L00681
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 6
Character Range: 1499–3955

6               Kind of injury, disease or death to which this Statement of Principles relates
(1)          This Statement of Principles is about thoracic outlet syndrome and death from thoracic outlet syndrome.
Meaning of thoracic outlet syndrome
(2)          For the purposes of this Statement of Principles, thoracic outlet syndrome:
(a)          means a collection of symptoms and signs arising from compression of the subclavian artery, subclavian vein or the nerves of the brachial plexus which occurs as these structures exit the thoracic cavity above the first rib and pass through the anatomical spaces of the thoracic outlet; and
(b)          includes:
(i)            arterial thoracic outlet syndrome;
(ii)         neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome; and
(iii)       venous thoracic outlet syndrome.
                Note 1: Symptoms and signs of arterial thoracic outlet syndrome typically include pain, pallor, paraesthesia, coldness and diminished pulses of the affected arm or hand. Symptoms may be recurrent (claudication), or occur suddenly due to acute arterial thromboembolism. Complications include development of mural thrombus in the subclavian artery or a subclavian artery aneurysm.
                Note 2: Symptoms and signs of neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome typically include pain, dysesthesia, numbness and weakness involving the shoulder, arm or hand of the affected side. Symptoms may be aggravated by activities that require elevation or sustained use of the arms or hands.
                Note 3: Symptoms and signs of venous thoracic outlet syndrome typically include pain, cyanosis and swelling of the affected arm. Complications include recurrent venous thromboembolism and pulmonary thromboembolism.
                Note 4: The anatomical spaces within the thoracic outlet that can typically cause neurovascular compromise include the scalene triangle, the costoclavicular space and the pectoralis minor space.
                Note 5: arterial thoracic outlet syndrome, neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome and venous thoracic outlet syndrome are defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.
Death from thoracic outlet syndrome
(3)          For the purposes of this Statement of Principles, thoracic outlet syndrome, in relation to a person, includes death from a terminal event or condition that was contributed to by the person's thoracic outlet syndrome.
Note: terminal event is defined in the Schedule 1 – Dictionary.