Isolated bilateral first rib fractures--an unusual sequel of whiplash injury

Fractures of the first rib are extremely rare and are more commonly associated with either multiple rib fractures or life-threatening injuries. First rib fractures are commonly caused by direct trauma, violent muscular contraction or by chronic stress. We present a case of isolated bilateral rib fracture in an elderly patient, in the absence of multiple trauma, where the mechanism of injury appears to be a whiplash injury.