title: Spontaneous sternal fractures in four patients with chronic airflow obstruction taking corticosteroids.
abstract: Four patients with chronic airflow obstruction developed spontaneous sternal fractures. All had received repeated courses of high dose corticosteroids and three were receiving long term treatment with low dose corticosteroids. It is important to consider sternal fracture in the differential diagnosis when patients with chronic airflow obstruction present with chest pain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Medicine, City Hospital, Aberdeen.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hameed
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Packe
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Legge
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Friend
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005598:Fractures, Spontaneous / Q000139:chemically induced*; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013249:Sternum / Q000293:injuries*
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones