1887 – 1951
Adson made many contributions to the development of neurosurgery and was considered to be one of the leaders in the field, especially in the area of surgery of the sympathetic nervous system. Although cervical ribs and symptoms associated with their presence had been noted previously, Adson was the first to approach the area from the front and to emphasize the contribution of the scalenus anticus tendon to the syndrome. In an article, “Cervical Rib,” published in 1927, he describes the obliteration of the radial pulse on deep inspiration when the patient’s head is turned fully to the affected side when the syndrome is present (Adson’s sign).
More information can be found in the bookWho’s Who in Orthopedics
