MR imaging of the abnormal sternoclavicular joint— A pictorial essay

doi:10.1016/S0899-7071(96)00040-X

Clinical Imaging

Volume 21, Issue 2, March–April 1997, Pages 138-143

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0899-7071(96)00040-X Get rights and content

Abstract

The sternoclavicular (SC) joint can be affected by a wide variety of pathologic conditions. Imaging is usually needed for diagnosis and staging. Although the use of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has become indispensable in the evaluation of most joints, MR has received little attention in SC joint evaluation. Recently, however, it has been shown that detailed MR images of the normal SC joint can be obtained. This pictorial essay explores the differential diagnosis of the abnormal SC joint and helps to determine the role of MR imaging in the SC joint imaging algorithm.

References (14)

M Saghafi et al.
Sternocostoclavicular hyperostosis
Sem Arthritis Rheum
(1993)
RA Yood et al.
Sternoclavicular joint arthritis
Arthritis Rheum
(1980)
R Cope et al.
Dislocations of the sternoclavicular joint: anatomic basis, etiologies, and radiologic diagnosis
J Orthoped Trauma
(1991)
DJ Shanley et al.
Sternoclavicular pyarthrosis demonstrated on bone scan correlation with CT and MRI
Clin Nucl Med
(1991)
MA Klein et al.
MR imaging of the normal sternoclavicular joint: spectrum of findings
AJR
(1995)
JA Frank et al.
Detection of malignant bone tumors: MR imaging vs scintigraphy
AJR
(1990)
JL Bloem et al.
Magnetic resonance imaging of primary malignant bone tumors
Radiographics
(1985)

There are more references available in the full text version of this article.

Cited by (22)

Ultrasound-Guided Interventional Procedures About the Shoulder: Anatomy, Indications, and Techniques
2016, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics of North America
Citation Excerpt :
Although uncommon, the SCJ can be a clinically important source of shoulder pain. The SCJ can be affected by both idiopathic and posttraumatic arthritis, dislocation or subluxation, synovitis-acne-pustulosis-hyperostosis-osteitis, avascular necrosis (Friedrich disease), rheumatic arthritis, and crystalline arthropathies.37–43 The pain referral pattern for the SCJ is widespread and often nonspecific.44
MR imaging of the sternoclavicular joint following trauma
2004, Clinical Imaging
The purpose of this study is to describe the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of the sternoclavicular (SC) joint seen in patients who presented to our department with joint pain related to trauma. Clinical history and MRI findings on 41 patients were reviewed retrospectively to establish types and frequencies of soft tissue injuries and subluxations. Because both SC joints were imaged, the asymptomatic joints were used as a control group. Articular disk injuries were seen in 80% of patients. Injuries of the anterior, posterior, interclavicular and costoclavicular ligaments were seen in 73%, 39%, 29% and 14% of patients, respectively. Most clavicular subluxations were in the superior and posterior directions. Posterior impingement of mediastinal structures was seen in cases of posterior clavicular subluxation as well as in cases of retrosternal inflammatory or fibrotic tissue without clavicular subluxation. Biomechanical models of the SC joint are discussed to explain how different ligamentous injuries typically result in different types of subluxations.
Radiographic evaluation of the acromioclavicular and sternoclavicular joints
2003, Clinics in Sports Medicine
The sternocostoclavicular joint: Normal and abnormal features
2002, Joint Bone Spine
Many physicians are unfamiliar with the characteristics of the sternocostoclavicular joint (SCCJ). Disorders of the SCCJ, although common, frequently escape recognition. Computed tomography (CT) with thin slices and no gap is at present the best means of investigating the SCCJ. CT features in normal subjects have been described in detail; some are misleading. The most common SCCJ disorder is degenerative disease manifesting as osteoarthritis or as periarticular lesions causing antero-medial dislocation of the clavicle. Septic arthritis is the most severe disorder and can lead to mediastinitis. All inflammatory joint diseases, including spondyloarthropathies, can affect the SCCJ. SCCJ involvement is a typical component of the osteoarticular manifestations seen in patients with palmoplantar pustulosis.
Sternoclavicular joint: Normal, degenerative and inflammatory findings
2002, Revue du Rhumatisme (Edition Francaise)
L’articulation sterno-costo-claviculaire est souvent mal connue et sa pathologie, quoique fréquente, est volontiers sous-estimée. Actuellement, l’articulation sterno-costo-claviculaire est explorée au mieux par la tomodensitométrie, en réalisant des coupes fines et jointives. Son aspect chez les sujets sains est désormais connu ; certaines images « physiologiques » sont trompeuses. L’atteinte la plus fréquente est l’arthropathie dégénérative, qu’il s’agisse d’une arthrose ou d’une péri-arthropathie responsable d’une luxation antéro-interne de la clavicule. La plus grave est l’arthrite septique qui peut se compliquer d’une médiastinite. Tous les rhumatismes inflammatoires peuvent atteindre cette articulation, en particulier les spondylarthropathies, au premier rang desquelles se situent les manifestations ostéo-articulaires associées à la pustulose palmo-plantaire.
Many physicians are unfamiliar with the characteristics of the sternocostoclavicular joint (SCCJ). Disorders of the SCCJ, although common, frequently escape recognition. Computed tomography (CT) with thin slices and no gap is at present the best means of investigating the SCCJ. CT features in normal subjects have been described in detail; some are misleading. The most common SCCJ disorder is degenerative disease manifesting as osteoarthritis or as periarticular lesions causing antero-medial dislocation of the clavicle. Septic arthritis is the most severe disorder and can lead to mediastinitis. All inflammatory joint diseases, including spondyloarthropathies, can affect the SCCJ. SCCJ involvement is a typical component of the osteoarticular manifestations seen in patients with palmoplantar pustulosis.
Right sternoclavicular dislocation after traumatic delivery: A case report
1999, Journal of Pediatric Surgery
Sternoclavicular (SC) dislocation is an injury that is very rare in the newborn. Thus far there have been no reports describing this in neonates after a traumatic birth injury. This condition can be difficult to differentiate from epiphyseal separation, which occurs more often in older children. For successful treatment, early diagnosis is essential. Timely surgical reposition and fixation with following immobilization is recommended in instances of complete (SC) dislocation. We report a trauma-induced case of SC dislocation in a neonate successfully managed by polydioxanon cord fixation.

View all citing articles on Scopus

View full text

ReviewMR imaging of the abnormal sternoclavicular joint— A pictorial essay

Abstract

Sem Arthritis Rheum

Sternoclavicular joint arthritis

Arthritis Rheum

Dislocations of the sternoclavicular joint: anatomic basis, etiologies, and radiologic diagnosis

J Orthoped Trauma

Sternoclavicular pyarthrosis demonstrated on bone scan correlation with CT and MRI

Clin Nucl Med

MR imaging of the normal sternoclavicular joint: spectrum of findings

AJR

Detection of malignant bone tumors: MR imaging vs scintigraphy

AJR

Magnetic resonance imaging of primary malignant bone tumors

Radiographics

Review
MR imaging of the abnormal sternoclavicular joint— A pictorial essay