Superior subluxation of an anterior end of the first rib in a trauma patient

BMJ Case Rep. 2012 May 30:2012:bcr0220125796. doi: 10.1136/bcr.02.2012.5796.

Abstract

We present a case of a young man with a superior subluxation of an anterior end of the first rib following a road traffic accident. To the best of our knowledge, no similar case has so far been described in the literature. The patient presented with headache, backache and pain in the right anterior chest wall. After initial assessment, a chest radiograph was performed and it showed no abnormalities. A CT of the chest revealed an isolated hypermobile first rib at the anterior end owing to superior subluxation. The patient was treated conservatively.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Accidents, Traffic*
  • Adult
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Joint Dislocations / diagnostic imaging
  • Joint Dislocations / etiology*
  • Male
  • Radiography, Thoracic
  • Rib Fractures / complications*
  • Rib Fractures / diagnostic imaging
  • Ribs / diagnostic imaging
  • Ribs / injuries*
  • Thoracic Injuries / complications*
  • Thoracic Injuries / diagnostic imaging
  • Wounds, Nonpenetrating / complications*
  • Wounds, Nonpenetrating / diagnostic imaging