title: [Osteoradionecrosis of the sternoclavicular joint].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Osteoradionecrosis is a rare, but feared, late complication after radiotherapy of the head and neck region. Its localization to the sternoclavicular joint has rarely been described so far.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data are from a retrospective study that included all patients admitted to the authors' clinic with osteoradionecrosis of the sternoclavicular joint during the last 5 years. Therapy and outcome were evaluated and compared to the established literature.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Over the past 5 years, 2 patients have been treated for pronounced osteoradionecrosis of the sternoclavicular joint. Both patients had received postoperative radiotherapy for tumors of the neck and chest, and presented with lesions involving the clavicle and the sternum. After eliminating the suspicion of recurrent cancer, both radiologic imaging and histopathologic evaluation confirmed an infection. Aggressive debridement with partial claviculectomy, partial sternectomy, and reconstruction using a pectoralis flap lead to the patients' recovery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Osteoradionecrosis does not only affect bone, but also the surrounding soft tissue. Due to the changes associated with previous radiotherapy, osteoradionecrosis should always be treated with radical debridement of the infected area, followed by flap reconstruction using unaffected tissue. The prognosis for the patient is then good.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, Unfallkrankenhaus Berlin, Warener Str. 7, 12683, Berlin, Deutschland. gioia.vonschnurbein@ukb.de.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schnurbein
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, Unfallkrankenhaus Berlin, Warener Str. 7, 12683, Berlin, Deutschland.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, Unfallkrankenhaus Berlin, Warener Str. 7, 12683, Berlin, Deutschland.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Todt
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, Unfallkrankenhaus Berlin, Warener Str. 7, 12683, Berlin, Deutschland.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ernst
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, Unfallkrankenhaus Berlin, Warener Str. 7, 12683, Berlin, Deutschland.
authors.forename: R O
authors.initials: RO
authors.lastname: Seidl
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001178:Arthroplasty / Q000379:methods; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000379:methods; D003646:Debridement / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008297:Male; D010025:Osteoradionecrosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods; D013247:Sternoclavicular Joint / Q000528:radiation effects* / Q000601:surgery*; D056346:Sternotomy / Q000379:methods; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Joints; Neoplasms; Osteonecrosis; Radiotherapy; Recurrence