Sternal Development and Variations and Anomalies in Patients With Microtia: Evaluation Using 3-Dimensional Computed...

Area of Science:

• Anatomy
• Medical Imaging
• Genetics

Background:

• Microtia is a congenital ear anomaly.
• Sternal development involves complex ossification and fusion processes.
• Congenital sternal anomalies can occur independently or as part of syndromes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate sternal development and variations in microtia patients.
• To determine the incidence of congenital sternal anomalies in this population.
• To investigate potential interactions between microtia and sternal anomalies.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 212 patients with microtia.
• Preoperative 3D chest CT scans were utilized.
• Statistical analyses included ANOVA, Spearman, chi-square, and Fisher's exact tests.

Main Results:

• Significant individual variations in sternal components (manubrium, body, xiphoid) were observed.
• Sternal foramina were found in 2.8% of patients, all in the inferior body.
• Sternal clefts occurred in 1.9%, with two cases associated with a distal foramen.

Conclusions:

• Sternal development exhibits considerable variation in microtia patients.
• A distinct distribution of mesosternal types was noted across the age range.
• The incidence of sternal foramina appears lower in patients with microtia.