CTICasesRecurrent Sternal Dehiscence
Imaging findings
Serial post-CABG radiographs (with LIMA graft clips and intact sternal wires) show one sternal wire migrating leftward out of alignment while the others remain in position, indicating sternal dehiscence. After repair with an extensive manubrial Y-plate and cross-plating, follow-up shows the Y-plate again displaced with two loose floating screws and a backing-out screw, indicating re-dehiscence. CT for operative planning shows the sternum pulled apart with hardware displacement and no large abscess.
Key takeaways
A single sternal wire that shifts position while the others stay aligned is a classic sign of sternal dehiscence and should prompt correlation with the clinical exam. Dehiscence can recur even after extensive rigid plate fixation, particularly in larger patients or when closure is difficult, and management may require reopening the chest with delayed closure using medialized pectoralis muscle flaps to provide coverage and vascular supply.
AI-assisted summary — may contain errors. Verify against the source video. Learn more
More from this webinar
- Uncorrected Intracardiac Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return with Eisenmenger PhysiologyCongenital
- Ponytail Artifact Mimicking a Hilar NoduleArtifact
- Granulomatous (Sarcoid-Associated) Pulmonary Veno-Occlusive DiseaseVascular
- Aneurysm of the Membranous Interventricular SeptumCongenital
- Cardiac LipomaNeoplastic
- Posterior Mediastinal LipomaNeoplastic
- High-Grade Aortic Coarctation (Near-Atresia)Congenital
- Tracheal ChondrosarcomaNeoplastic
See all cases from January 7, 2021 →
Related Iatrogenic cases
- Iatrogenic Thoracic Duct Injury with Chylothorax
- Iatrogenic Diaphragmatic Rupture after Microwave Ablation
- Hemodialysis Catheter Perforation into the Pleural Space
- Phrenic Nerve Injury with Hemidiaphragm Paralysis after Atrial Fibrillation Ablation
- Aortic Injury with Organized Mediastinal Hematoma after Atrial Fibrillation Ablation
- Intraparenchymal Chest Tube Placement with Pulmonary Hemorrhage