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[Swelling of the sternoclavicular joint]
B Turowski1, K Dresing, K W Sievers
1Röntgendiagnostisches Zentralinstitut, Universitätsklinikum Essen.
Der Unfallchirurg
|August 1, 1995
Summary
Unexplained sternoclavicular joint swelling after trauma can mimic tumors. Symptoms may appear weeks after injury, with CT scans showing joint, muscle, or capsule changes.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Radiology
- Pathology
Background:
- Sternoclavicular joint swelling can be a diagnostic challenge.
- Tumors are sometimes suspected in cases of unexplained joint swelling.
Observation:
- Nine patients presented with unexplained sternoclavicular joint swelling between 1990-1993.
- Clinical histories involved trauma (forearm, wrist, shoulder) with delayed symptom onset (median 5 weeks).
Findings:
- CT scans revealed joint space widening (2 cases), pectoral muscle thickening (6 cases), and capsule/ligament thickening (5 cases).
- One patient underwent sternoclavicular joint arthroplasty, another had a biopsy; others received no treatment.
Implications:
- Delayed sternoclavicular joint swelling post-trauma requires careful evaluation.
- Imaging findings can guide differential diagnosis and management of sternoclavicular joint conditions.