Three-dimensional modelling and printing in anterior chest wall reconstruction and stabilisation.

Anterior chest wall instability as a result of sternocostal non-union is a rare complication but can give rise to invalidating pain and cardiac arrhythmias. A woman in her 40s was referred to us with anterior chest wall pain and instability after a modified Ravitch procedure. Sternocostal pseudoarthrosis was seen for which multiple operations were performed which were complicated by low-grade infections. A patient-specific three-dimensional modelled and printed prostheses was used in an operation to both lift the sternum for pectus correction and to reconnect the sternum and the sternal costal junction to regain anterior chest wall stability.

Effect of Low-Frequency Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields and Traditional Chinese Medicine Kneading Manipulation on Sternocostal Joint Pain in Perimenopausal Women.

Aim: To investigate the clinical effect of low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) kneading manipulation in the treatment of perimenopausal women with sternocostal joint pain. Methods: A total of 80 perimenopausal women with osteoporosis (OP) with sternocostal joint pain were selected as participants in the study. The patients were assigned to either the control or the treatment group, with 40 patients in each group. Patients in the control group were treated with oral Aceclofenac sustained-release tablets, calcium carbonate and vitamin D3 tablets. The treatment group was treated with low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic fields and TCM kneading manipulation. Numerical rating scale (NRS) scores, bone mineral density (BMD) and blood calcium concentration were measured and recorded before and after treatment in both groups. Results: There were no significant differences in age, disease course, body mass index, smoking history, pretreatment NRS pain score, bone mineral density (BMD), or serum calcium concentration between the two groups (P > .05). There were statistically significant differences in pain levels between the two groups at 3 days and 1, 3 and 6 months after treatment (P < .05). BMD of the femoral neck was significantly different at 6 months after treatment (P = .016 treatment difference from Control at 6 months: 0.055; 95% CI, 0.009 to 0.097). There were significant differences in serum calcium concentration at the third and sixth month of treatment (P < .05 treatment difference from control at 3 days: 0.055; 95% CI: 0.036 to 0.074; treatment difference from Control at 6 months: 0.039; 95% CI: 0.019 to 0.059). Different treatment methods had significant differences in serum calcium levels at the third and sixth month. Conclusion: Low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic field and TCM kneading manipulation can effectively relieve the symptoms of thoracic and costal joint pain in the short term in the perimenopausal period, improve bone density and delay disease progression.

Age and sex influence the activation-dependent stiffness of the pectoralis major.

The pectoralis major fiber regions contribute uniquely to the mobility and the stability of the shoulder complex. It is unknown how age and sex influence the stiffness of these regions during volitional contractions, but this knowledge is critical to inform clinical interventions targeting the pectoralis major. The aim of the present study was to determine if the activation-dependent stiffness of the pectoralis major fiber regions differs between the sexes and if it is altered with age. Ultrasound shear wave elastography was used to acquire shear wave velocity from the clavicular and the sternocostal fiber regions of 48 healthy participants, including 24 younger (12 males, 12 females, mean ± SD age 25 ± 4.1 years) and 24 older adults (12 males, 12 females, 55 ± 3.6 years). Participants performed vertical adduction and horizontal flexion torques in neutral and 90° externally rotated shoulder positions, and one of the two shoulder abduction positions (60° and 90°) at varying torque magnitudes (passive, 15% and 30% of maximal voluntary contraction). Separate linear mixed-effects models were run for each fiber region and shoulder position to determine if the activation-dependent stiffness differed between the sexes and was altered in older adults. Age-related alterations in stiffness during volitional contractions were observed in both fiber regions and were dependent on the task. Alterations in activation-dependent stiffness due to age were more pronounced in females than males. Additionally, females had greater stiffness than males during volitional contractions in both fiber regions. The present findings provide the first line of evidence that the activation-dependent stiffness of the pectoralis major fiber regions is influenced by sex and changes with age.

Age estimation at death by the study of chest plate radiographs: establishing a Tunisian male score.

We aim to establish a Tunisian score for age estimation through the study of chest plate's radiographs of a Tunisian male sample. We have focused on the study of 128 chest plate radiographs of Tunisian male individuals. We have established a score of eight criteria. The total score ranges from 8 to 32. Three observers scored double-blind the X-ray films. We studied the correlation of each criterion as well as the total score with chronological age for each observer. We also tested the reproducibility and the repeatability of criteria and total score. We calculated the estimated age for each score. We studied the relationship between the estimated age and the chronological age. The correlation between the total score and the chronological age has been good for the three observers (0.746, 0.756 and 0.742). The total score gives an estimation of age with a standard deviation of ± 5.88 years and a confidence interval of 95%, the interval's width increases gradually from 6.9 years to 23 years.

Prone ventilation in a patient with severe ARDS having a floating sternum.

Prone ventilation is used to manage patients with refractory hypoxia in the critical care unit. Complex chest trauma and chest drains have been a considered relative contraindication to prone ventilation. To the best of our knowledge, it is hitherto unreported in patients having traumatic floating sternum and acute respiratory distress. We present a brief case report of a patient with floating sternum (complete disruption of sternum) managed successfully by prone position ventilation.

Age Estimation in Living Adults using 3D Volume Rendered CT Images of the Sternal Plastron and Lower Chest.

Age estimation is commonly of interest in a judicial context. In adults, it is less documented than in children. The aim of this study was to evaluate age estimation in adults using CT images of the sternal plastron with volume rendering technique (VRT). The evaluation criteria are derived from known methods used for age estimation and are applicable in living or dead subjects. The VRT images of 456 patients were analyzed. Two radiologists performed age estimation independently from an anterior view of the plastron. Interobserver agreement and correlation coefficients between each reader's classification and real age were calculated. The interobserver agreement was 0.86, and the correlation coefficients between readers classifications and real age classes were 0.60 and 0.65. Spearman correlation coefficients were, respectively, 0.89, 0.67, and 0.71. Analysis of the plastron using VRT allows age estimation in vivo quickly and with results similar than methods such as Iscan, Suchey-Brooks, and radiographs used to estimate the age of death.

Elastic Stable Chest Repair as a Means of Stabilizing the Anterior Chest Wall in Recurrent Pectus Excavatum with Sternocostal Pseudarthrosis: An Innovative Fixation Device.

INTRODUCTION: Open surgical procedures in the treatment of pectus excavatum (PE) involve predetermined incisions in the parasternal cartilage and the bony ribs. For some procedures, the ribs are even dissected from the sternum for better sternal mobilization and thus better elevation of the funnel. Secure restoration of the sternocostal junction is then required, with the consequence that healing may be quite impaired. Patients may also subsequently suffer from sternocostal nonunion, for example, pseudarthrosis, and dislocated ribs, as well as pain and a recurrence of PE. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients underwent another open surgery with revision of the pseudarthrotic sternocostal junctions and sufficient mobilization of the anterior chest wall, followed by an open reduction and internal fixation using Matrix Rib titanium plates (Synthes, Oberdorf, Switzerland). This procedure consisted of elevating the anterior chest wall and fixing the ribs to the sternum. In 2011 and 2012, we studied this procedure, known as elastic stable chest repair (ESCR), in a series of 20 patients. The patients underwent clinical and ultrasound examinations and X-ray radiographs after the operation, after 6 weeks, and at 3- and 12-month intervals. RESULTS: Follow-up showed high patient tolerance, although a loose plate was observed in one patient and a broken plate in three patients. A stable union was achieved for all sternocostal pseudarthroses. PE improved highly significantly (p < 0.001), as the Haller index decreased from 3.6 (range: 2.7-6.6, standard deviation [SD]: 0.92) to 2.7 (range: 2.0-3.7, SD: 0.42). Pain in the anterior chest wall was significantly reduced after the operation in the majority of cases. All but one patient was mobilized already the day after the operation. CONCLUSIONS: ESCR in recurrent PE achieved functional stabilization of the anterior chest wall combined with satisfactory results.

Sternocostal dislocation following open correction of pectus excavatum-"stairway phenomenon": complication management by means of sternocostal locking titanium plate osteosynthesis.

INTRODUCTION: Some open surgical methods describe complete sternocostal dissection with subsequent resynthesis. Lack of consolidation with painful sternocostal instability and retrosternal dislocation of sternal rib tips are possible complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven patients with symptomatic unilateral sternocostal dislocation were included in this study. After diagnosis, confirmed by three-dimensional computed tomography (CT), patients underwent open surgery. All affected ribs were reset and fixed to the sternum with the aid of titanium implants. RESULTS: The patients had, on average, unilateral dislocation of 3.4 rib joints with 15.4 mm retrosternal dislocation, which was fixed with 2.3 plates. A titanium splint was also employed. The recurrent nature of the problem made procedures very time-consuming (average operation time: 3 hours 25 minutes). One patient suffered strong intraoperative bleeding requiring transfusion of blood products and access enlargement. Follow-up examinations showed high patient satisfaction (grade of 1.7; rating scale 1-6). Remaining rib instabilities were observed just as infrequently as were material failures. The sternocostal rib splint in the costal cartilage became loose and was removed. One patient exhibited a pectoral muscle asymmetry. No other complications were observed. CONCLUSION: The term "stairway phenomenon" describes the dislocation of sternocostal joints. Observed after open pectus excavatum correction it can trigger substantial physical complaints. Thus, preserving those joints during pectus repair is strongly recommended. Locking titanium plates are a safe alternative to sternocostal suture fixation and is characterized by high patient satisfaction.

Tortícolis secundario a hipoplasia del esternocleidomastoideo / Torticollis secondary to sternocleidomastoid hypoplasia

No disponible

Diagnosis and treatment of a patient with bilateral thoracic outlet syndrome secondary to anterior subluxation of bilateral sternoclavicular joints: a case report.

Thoracic outlet syndrome may result from a posterior sternoclavicular (SC) joint subluxation, or an anterior SC joint subluxation after surgical fixation. This case report presents the physical therapy management of a patient with bilateral thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) secondary to bilateral idiopathic anterior SC joint subluxation. A 16-year-old female presented with a 2-year history of numbness, tingling, and coldness in bilateral upper extremities, and intermittent headaches with occasional vision loss. Ipsilateral upper extremity symptoms were reproduced with cervical rotation and shoulder flexion and abduction from 90° to end of the range. All TOS tests were positive. Passive horizontal abduction, through the plane of scaption, produced anterior subluxation of the ipsilateral SC joint. Sustained posterior glides to the medial clavicle relieved all symptoms during shoulder flexion and the Adson's test. Interventions consisted of manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, and the trial of two orthoses. After 12 treatment sessions, the patient's symptoms resolved and she improved by 10 points on the Upper Extremity Functional Index. She had no reproduction of symptoms with the thoracic outlet special tests. She maintained a static hold for 90 sec at 90° shoulder flexion, 90° shoulder abduction, and full shoulder flexion without symptoms. The outcomes describe a successful intervention for a patient with bilateral TOS secondary to idiopathic bilateral anterior SC joint subluxation. This case suggests that SC joint dysfunction should be considered as a cause of TOS and should be screened during the initial examination.

[Unusual presentation of rib malformation]. / Présentation inhabituelle d'une malformation costale.

Rib malformation and anatomical variations are not well known and are still often underdiagnosed. Usually, rib malformations are fortuitously discovered. We describe here the case of a girl, 4 years and 4 months old, who presented at the emergency unit for fever and an anterior tumefaction of the ribcage, without any other symptoms. She was eupneic with a normal pulmonary auscultation and viral tonsillitis with a negative streptococcus test. The thoracic tumefaction was parasternal, painless, and fixed and measured approximately 2.5 × 2cm. Ultrasound findings consisted of a duplicated and hypoechogenic hypertrophy of the sterno-costal cartilage of the 4th left rib. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirmed the diagnosis of chondral bifidity of the sterno-costal junction of the 4th left rib. Fever, due to the viral tonsillitis, disappeared after 4 days. Rib malformations are rare, often anterior, unilateral, and preferentially located on the 3rd or the 4th rib. The main malformative rib lesions are bifid ribs, rib spurs, and widened ribs. Very rarely, they can be associated with Gorlin-Goltz syndrome or with other malformations such as VATER complex. The main differential diagnoses of these rib malformations are traumatic, tumoral, and infectious etiologies. In case of tumoral diseases, the topography of the lesion focuses the etiologic diagnosis: whereas an anterior and cartilaginous lesion is always benign, a lateral or posterior lesion can be an Ewing sarcoma. Rib malformation investigation consists in meticulous questioning, a complete clinical examination looking for any associated anomaly, completed by basic imaging explorations such as plain thoracic radiography focused on the ribcage and ultrasound. Finally, complementary computerized tomography or preferably MRI, depending on the anatomic location of the lesion, confirms the final diagnosis, as presented in our case report, and removes any uncertainty.

[Imaging-anatomic study of diaphragmatic sternocostal triangle with double-phase 16-row MDCT].

This study was aimed to determine the effects of respiratory phase, age, sex and body mass indexes (BMI) on the visibility and morphological characteristics of the diaphragmatic sternocostal triangle in normal adults shown by multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT). A total of 100 normal adults were consecutively recruited and scanned with 16-row MDCT at the end of deep expiration and inspiration. The visibility and morphological characteristics of diaphragmatic sternocostal triangle were observed. All cases were grouped according to the respiratory phase, age, sex and BMI, respectively. The visibility rates by MDCT among different types of sternocostal triangles at the inspiratory or the expiratory phases were calculated and compared, and the visibility rate was correlated with age, sex, and BMI, respectively. In addition, the CT features of diaphragmatic hernia (n=2) were recorded and analyzed. The visibility rate of trigonum sternocostal was 43% at the end of inspiration and 32% at the end of expiration. No difference was found in regard to age, gender and BMI (P > 0.05). Rupture of diaphragm and the features of adjacent abdominal organs into thoracic cavity were revealed clearly on multiplanar reformation (MPR) images of MDCT in 2 patients with diaphragmatic hernia. The visibility rates of diaphragmatic sternocostal triangle were associated with the respiratory movement. MPR on MDCT could be useful for revealing the anatomic structure of diaphragm and the radiological features of diaphragmatic hernia. Furthermore, double-phase scanning of MDCT provides feasible method for studying the physiologic information of diaphragm movement in normal status and abnormal status.

Imaging-anatomic study of diaphragmatic sternocostal triangle with double-phase 16-row MDCT / 生物医学工程学杂志

This study was aimed to determine the effects of respiratory phase, age, sex and body mass indexes (BMI) on the visibility and morphological characteristics of the diaphragmatic sternocostal triangle in normal adults shown by multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT). A total of 100 normal adults were consecutively recruited and scanned with 16-row MDCT at the end of deep expiration and inspiration. The visibility and morphological characteristics of diaphragmatic sternocostal triangle were observed. All cases were grouped according to the respiratory phase, age, sex and BMI, respectively. The visibility rates by MDCT among different types of sternocostal triangles at the inspiratory or the expiratory phases were calculated and compared, and the visibility rate was correlated with age, sex, and BMI, respectively. In addition, the CT features of diaphragmatic hernia (n=2) were recorded and analyzed. The visibility rate of trigonum sternocostal was 43% at the end of inspiration and 32% at the end of expiration. No difference was found in regard to age, gender and BMI (P > 0.05). Rupture of diaphragm and the features of adjacent abdominal organs into thoracic cavity were revealed clearly on multiplanar reformation (MPR) images of MDCT in 2 patients with diaphragmatic hernia. The visibility rates of diaphragmatic sternocostal triangle were associated with the respiratory movement. MPR on MDCT could be useful for revealing the anatomic structure of diaphragm and the radiological features of diaphragmatic hernia. Furthermore, double-phase scanning of MDCT provides feasible method for studying the physiologic information of diaphragm movement in normal status and abnormal status.

Imaging of sternocostoclavicular joint in spondyloarthropaties and other rheumatic conditions.

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively evaluate the role of the various imaging techniques in the study of the sternocostoclavicular joint, in patients with spondyloarthropathies and other rheumatic conditions and to assess potential pitfalls in the radiological diagnosis. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Thirty patients, 11 male and 19 female, mean age 45 years, with involvement of the sternocostoclavicular joint as part of rheumatologic disorders (psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Tietze syndrome, SAPHO syndrome, and condensing osteitis of the clavicle) were studied. Conventional radiography, CT, MRI and bone scintigraphy were performed. The following imaging findings were evaluated: soft tissue swelling, bone sclerosis, cortical bone erosions, joint space narrowing, subchondral sclerosis, periosteal new bone formation, synovial reaction and intrarticular effusion. All the images were independently reviewed by two musculoskeletal radiologists. RESULTS: Conventional radiography demonstrated only sclerosis of the clavicula in 8 pts (26%) and the sternum in 3 pts (10%), cortical bone erosions in 7 pts (23%), joint space narrowing in 6 pts (23%) and periosteal bone formation in 2 pts (10%). At the CT examination sclerosis of the clavicula and the sternum was observed in 13 pts (44%), cortical bone erosions in 22 pts (76%), joint space narrowing in 10 pts (34%), ligament ossification in 12 pts (41%), subchondral sclerosis in 9 pts (34%) and periosteal bone formation in 10 pts (34%). The MRI was the most sensitive technique in the evaluation of the soft tissue swelling in 9 pts (56%), intrarticular effusion in 13 pts (81%) and synovial reaction in 13 pts (81%). Finally, bone scintigraphy showed an increased uptake at the sterno-costoclavicular joint in all patients who underwent the examination. CONCLUSION: The radiological evaluation of the anterior chest wall in patients with different rheumatic disorders represents a problem of difficult diagnostic evaluation both for the anatomic region complexity and for the variability of the radiographic findings. The integrated use of X-ray, CT, MRI and nuclear medicine is suggested to avoid misdiagnosis.

Bone erosion of the sternocostal joint in a patient with Behcet's disease.

Behcet's disease (BD) is a polysymptomatic and recurrent systemic vasculitis with a chronic course and unknown cause. Erosive arthropathy is extremely rare. We report a 52-year-old female patient with BD demonstrating bone erosion of the sternocostal joint.

Magnetic resonance imaging in Tietze's syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in Tietze's syndrome which, to our knowledge, has not previously been reported in the literature. METHODS: Twelve consecutive outpatients with clinical features of Tietze's syndrome underwent evaluation, including the anamnesis, clinical general examination, clinical evaluation of costosternal and sternoclavicular joints (SCJ) and biochemical and instrumental investigations. Twenty normal subjects age- and sex-matched to the patients' group were examined in a similar manner. MRI of costosternal and SCJ was performed using a 1.5 Tesla unit (Gyroscan NT 1.5 Philips, The Netherlands and GE Signa Excite HD, GE Healthcare, Milwaukee, Wis., USA). RESULTS: The MRI pattern of primary Tietze's syndrome was characterized as follows: enlargement and thickening of cartilage at the site of complaint (12/12 patients); focal or widespread increased signal intensities of affected cartilage on both TSE T2-weighted and STIR or FAT SAT images (10/12 patients); bone marrow oedema in the subcondral bone (5/12 patients); vivid gadolinium uptake in the areas of thickened cartilage, in the subcondral bone marrow and/or in capsule and ligaments (10/12, 4/12 and 7/12 patients respectively). CONCLUSION: Magnetic resonance is an excellent technique to evidence both the cartilage and bone abnormalities, therefore it represents the elective method in the investigation of primary Tietze's syndrome, due to its high sensitivity, diagnostic reliability and biological advantages thanks to the lack of ionizing radiation.