Traumatic posterior sternoclavicular joint dislocation in a child: a case report

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Pediatric Traumatology
• Radiology

Background:

• Sternoclavicular joint dislocations are infrequent, typically resulting from severe trauma.
• Pediatric sternoclavicular joint injuries are exceptionally rare, often presenting with subtle radiographic findings.

Observation:

• A 10-year-old child sustained a right shoulder blunt trauma from being punched, presenting with pain, functional impairment, and sternoclavicular joint depression.
• Initial chest radiographs were normal, but a CT scan revealed a posterior sternoclavicular joint dislocation.

Findings:

• Early closed reduction under general anesthesia was performed 12 hours post-trauma.
• A follow-up CT scan confirmed the restoration of normal sternoclavicular joint anatomy.
• The patient experienced a painless and fully mobile shoulder 18 months after the injury.

Implications:

• This case highlights an unusual mechanism for pediatric sternoclavicular joint dislocation.
• CT imaging is essential for diagnosing posterior sternoclavicular joint dislocations in children.
• Prompt closed reduction is effective for treating recent, isolated posterior sternoclavicular joint dislocations in pediatric patients.