Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) refers to a constellation of symptoms caused by a compression of brachial plexus, subclavian artery, and subclavian vein in the area of thoracic outlet. It is classified into neurogenic, arterial and venous TOS according to the structure of a compression. Neurogenic TOS (NTOS) shows various clinical symptoms and signs as well as lacks objective tests in adequate sensitivity or specificity constitutes approximately 90% of all TOS. To date, there is no consensus on diagnostic criteria around the world for TOS, and it has always been the focus point and challenge in TOS research. In last decades, Chinese surgeons paid increasing attentions to TOS, and it is evidenced by a great increase of numbers in Chinese literatures and reports. This article makes a brief review of the research progress reported in Chinese literature, and discusses the diagnosis and treatment of NTOS, based on the contributions made by Chinese researchers and relevant reports from abroad as well as the clinical experience from the author of this review article.