Imaging in Sternal Tumours: A Pictorial Review

The sternum is an uncommon site for neoplastic involvement and metastases are far commoner than primary neoplasms. Of the primary tumours, malignant lesions are more frequent than the benign lesions. Early diagnosis and treatment is prudent in such neoplasms not only to halt disease progression but also to prevent circulatory compromise resulting from the mass effect on the mediastinum. Sound knowledge of neoplasms affecting the sternum and their imaging appearance is essential to arrive at an early diagnosis and also to obviate biopsy in cases with classical imaging findings. Neoplastic involvement of the sternum is extremely unusual and should be considered malignant unless proven otherwise. Imaging may help in arriving at the diagnosis of these lesions, together with other factors such as patient's age, type of lesion (lytic/sclerotic or mixed), matrix mineralization, multiplicity and involvement of other sites.