Accidental finding on bone scan: isolated upper sternal cleft in an adult
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Updated: May 26, 2026

Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts
Published on: January 29, 2018
Rafid Kakel1, Paula Kennedy, Johan Booysen
1Departments of Orthopedic Surgery, Central Health-James Paton Memorial Hospital, Gander, Newfoundland, Canada. rkakel@yahoo.com
Abstract:
Cleft sternum is an extremely rare anomaly of development. It results from failure of fusion of midline structures that contribute to the formation of the sternum. The defect may affect the upper sternum, the lower sternum, or the whole sternum. Most cases are diagnosed in childhood when it is associated with serious midline defects. We present a case of an isolated upper sternal cleft in a 55-year-old adult, found accidentally on bone scan. To our knowledge, no bone scan image of cleft sternum could be found in the literature.
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