Pediatric Sternum Fracture

Etiology: Blunt trauma
Imaging Radiograph: Lucent cortical breach with or without displacement on lateral view with poor visualization of non-displaced fractures
Imaging CT: Sagittal reformat most sensitive modality
DDX: Sternal foramen, motion artifact on CT sagittal reformat
Complications: ~ 50% of patients have associated injuries including rib fracture, sternoclavicular joint dislocation, pneumothorax, pulmonary contusion, cardiac tamponade, thoracic spine compression fracture
Treatment:
Clinical: Present with acute severe sternal pain that worsens with breathing

Radiology Cases of Sternum Fracture

Radiograph of sternal fracture — Lateral radiograph of the sternum shows a lucent cortical breach with depression of the anterior aspect of the first segment of the sternal body.