Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England
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Ann R Coll Surg Engl · May 1999
Case ReportsPosterior sternoclavicular dislocations--a diagnosis easily missed.
Posterior dislocation of the sternoclavicular joint is a relatively rare injury and can be difficult to diagnose acutely. We report 3 cases of posterior dislocation of the sternoclavicular joint who presented to the Accident & Emergency Department within a 3 month period. ⋯ Plain X-rays of the shoulder and chest were reported as normal by junior and senior medical staff. The diagnosis was delayed until CT scans were performed, and once this was established, open reduction and stabilisation was performed.