TOS Consortium
Although there have been quite a few studies published on the diagnosis and treatment of thoracic outlet syndrome, there is insufficient information upon which to draw wider comparisons or conclusions. More than a year ago, a number of physicians and therapists with interests and expertise in TOS began to develop the idea of assembling a nationwide consortium to address some of these concerns. This group determined that such an effort was desperately needed to advance our understanding of all forms of TOS, through clinical outcomes research and broader educational initiatives. Enthusiasm for this idea soon grew into formation of the
Consortium for Outcomes Research and Education on Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (CORE-TOS).
CORE-TOS was initially developed under the leadership of Dr. Robert W. Thompson, MD (Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis) and Julie A. Freischlag, MD (Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore), along with a Planning/Steering Committee and a core group of more than 30 additional clinicians and scientists representing a spectrum of specialties, disciplines, practice settings and geographic areas. CORE-TOS has also worked closely with Ms. Gail Sault and the American TOS Association (ATOSA), the leading patient support and advocacy group for patients with TOS and related upper-extremity neurovascular compression syndromes.
The initial goals of CORE-TOS are to:
- Develop the infrastructure, resources, and assessment tools needed to conduct high-quality clinical outcomes and comparative-effectiveness research studies on all forms of TOS, particularly through establishment of a nationwide patient registry
- Establish new priorities and mechanisms of support for clinical research related to TOS
- Develop the clinical evidence necessary to establish standardized management guidelines for TOS and related conditions
- Help raise awareness of the importance of TOS through clinical and community-based educational efforts
The following listing indicates the centers and individuals who have helped develop and guide the Consortium for Outcomes Research and Education on Thoracic Outlet Syndrome:
CORE-TOS Coordinating Center
Washington University, St. Louis, MO |
CORE-TOS Regional Collaborating Centers
Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD (Johns Hopkins Hospital) |
University of California-Los Angeles, CA |
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN |
Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, TX |
Northwestern University, Chicago, IL |
CORE-TOS Participating Physicians and Consultants
(*Member, CORE-TOS Planning/Steering Committee)
Stephen J. Annest, MD (Vascular Surgery) |
Erdogran Atasoy, MD (Plastic/Hand Surgery) |
Ali Azizzadeh, MD (Vascular Surgery) |
Dennis F. Bandyk, MD (Vascular Surgery) |
Thomas C. Bower, MD (Vascular Surgery) |
Raphael Bueno, MD (Cardiothoracic Surgery) |
Benjamin B. Chang, MD (Vascular Surgery) |
*Dean M. Donahue, MD (Cardiothoracic Surgery) |
Matthew Eagleton, MD (Vascular Surgery) |
*Peter I. Edgelow, MA, DPT (Physical Therapy) |
Wladislaw V. Ellis, MD (Neurology/Psychiatry) |
*Karl A. Illig, MD (Vascular/Neurosurgery) |
*Kaj H. Johansen, MD, PhD (Vascular Surgery) |
K. Craig Kent, MD (Vascular Surgery) |
Michel Kliot, MD (Neurosurgery) |
Jason T. Lee, MD (Vascular Surgery) |
Bennett I. Machanic, MD (Neurology) |
Bernardo Martinez, MD (Vascular Surgery) |
Louis M. Messina, MD (Vascular Surgery) |
J. Ernesto Molina, MD (Cardiothoracic Surgery) |
Louis L. Nguyen, MD, MBA (Vascular Surgery) |
*Richard J. Sanders, MD (Vascular Surgery) |
*Gail M. Sault, CRT (Chief Executive Officer) |
Darren B. Schneider, MD (Vascular Surgery) |
*Carlos A. Selmonosky, MD (Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery) |
Murray L. Shames, MD (Vascular Surgery) |
William D. Turnipseed, MD (Vascular Surgery) |
Ravi Veeraswamy, MD (Vascular Surgery) |
*Scott A. Werden, MD (Diagnostic Radiology) |