A large sternal foramen

Suba Ananthi KUMARASAMY, Reena

Abstract

Sternal foramen is an oval defect at the lower third of the sternum, the result of incomplete fusion of multiple ossification centers. It is usually asymptomatic. We report a sternal foramen of size 20.8 x 11.4 mm in lower third of body. Knowledge of sternal foramen is important for radiologists to avoid confusion with pathological conditions. Awareness of presence of sternal variations is important to prevent fatal complications by avoiding the inferior part of the sternal body during bone marrow aspiration.

Relevant Publications in International Journal of Anatomical Variations