Spontaneous Sternal Segment Dislocation: A Case Report

In 1981 a case of spontaneous sternal segment dislocation in a patient with no evidence or history of trauma was reported by Schadmore. We experienced a case similar to the one he described.The patient was a 3-year-old girl who complained of intermittent midsternal pain after her chest was accidentally hit by the head of her one-and-half-year-old friend. No abnormality was detected by roentogenogram at the orthopaedic clinic on the day of injury. Two weeks later., her father noticed that she had a chest deformity and she also exhibited tenderness at the midsernal region, but no redness or local heat were noted.Her lateral chest roentgenogram showed a dislocated first segment of the body of the sternum.At surgery, we found the superior end of the first segment of the body of the sternum. There was no fresh bleeding or reactive granulation tissue. We were able to reposition the segment easily, using a plate to fix it.No finding of osteonecrosis were found on pathological examination. Six months later, after removal of the plate good fixation of her sternal segment was achieved.