Pure Intrathoracic Scapular Dislocation.

Scapular dislocation, also known as locked scapula or scapulothoracic dislocation, is a rare entity that can be identified as extrathoracic or intrathoracic dislocation, depending on the penetration of the scapula into the thoracic cavity. The 3 reported cases of intrathoracic scapular dislocations in the literature are associated with a preexisting condition, such as sternoclavicular separation, prior rib fracture, thoracotomy for a lung transplant procedure, or surgical resection of superior ribs during breast or pulmonary tumor excisions. There are also 3 published cases of intrathoracic scapular impaction, involving comminuted scapular fractures with intrathoracic impaction of the inferior fragment through intercostal space. We report an intrathoracic scapular dislocation that was not associated with fracture of the scapula or predisposing factors. To our knowledge, this is the first case of pure intrathoracic dislocation.