X-ray-negative posterior sternoclavicular dislocation after minor trauma.
Posterior sternoclavicular dislocation is a rare injury that must be recognized by the emergency physician because failure to rapidly reduce can lead to serious vascular complications. A high index of suspicion must be maintained in the appropriate setting because these injuries are difficult to detect on physical examination as well as on plain radiography. We present a case of a 19-year-old man with an isolated posterior sternoclavicular dislocation, in the setting of minor blunt trauma. The correct diagnosis required multiple imaging modalities over 2 emergency department visits and was ultimately successfully managed with intraoperative reduction.
Emergency Department, George Washington University Hospital, Washington DC, 20037, USA.
Mary
M
Jacob
Jonathan
J
Snashall
Annette
A
Dorfman
Robert
R
Shesser
D000058:Accidental Falls; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D013247:Sternoclavicular Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D055815:Young Adult