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Dancing sternal wires: A radiologic sign of sternal dehiscence
Author(s)
Mohamed M. Gad, MD
Amit Gupta, MD

Figure 1. Radiography immediately after surgery showed cardiac tamponade, which led to repeat sternotomy with mediastinal washout.
Figure 1. Radiography immediately after surgery showed cardiac tamponade, which led to repeat sternotomy with mediastinal washout.
Figure 2. On postoperative day 4, midline sternal lucency and a slight leftward deviation of the second-from-the-lowest sternal wire—early signs of dehiscence—resulted in mild loss of alignment.
Figure 2. On postoperative day 4, midline sternal lucency and a slight leftward deviation of the second-from-the-lowest sternal wire (arrow)—early signs of dehiscence—resulted in mild loss of alignment.
A 52-year-old man underwent coronary artery bypass grafting, which was complicated by cardiac tamponade requiring repeat sternotomy with mediastinal washout (Figure 1). On postoperative day 4, plain imaging revealed a midline sternal lucency and a slight leftward deviation of the second-from-the-lowest sternal wire (Figure 2), subtle signs suggesting sternal dehiscence. Those signs were missed initially, as no clinical signs of dehiscence were evident.

The next day, routine radiography showed widely separated sternal wires (Figure 3), indicating significant progression of sternal dehiscence. The patient subsequently underwent open reduction and internal fixation of the sternum.

STERNAL DEHISCENCE

Figure 3. On postoperative day 5, the widely separated sternal wires indicated advanced sternal dehiscence.
Figure 3. On postoperative day 5, the widely separated sternal wires indicated advanced sternal dehiscence.
Sternal dehiscence is a rare but serious complication of sternotomy.1 In most cases of dehiscence, the sternal wires malfunction, leading to separation of sternal fragments. Lack of proper alignment of the sternum impairs bone healing, and the loose fragments of bone and wire pose a danger of puncturing the heart, making sternal dehiscence a surgical emergency.2

Physical examination may reveal tenderness to palpation, but findings that are more characteristic are an audible click and rocking of the sternum with coughing or forced chest movements.3

Plain chest radiography can clearly show early signs of sternal dehiscence; however, physicians rarely scrutinize the films for wire placement. Subtle signs include loss of sternal alignment with shifting of the segments and central sternal lucency. Gross signs start to appear when 2 or more wires are displaced; these signs are dramatic and rarely missed.

Loss of alignment and central sternal lucency are the earliest radiographic signs of dehiscence. Awareness of early subtle signs can lead to prompt diagnosis and treatment to prevent progression to gross sternal dehiscence.

References
  1. Olbrecht VA, Barreiro CJ, Bonde PN, et al. Clinical outcomes of noninfectious sternal dehiscence after median sternotomy. Ann Thorac Surg 2006; 82(3):902–907. doi:10.1016/j.athoracsur.2006.04.058
  2. Efthymiou CA, Kay PH, Nair UR. Repair of spontaneous right ventricular rupture following sternal dehiscence. A novel technique. Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg 2010; 10(1):12–13. doi:10.1510/icvts.2009.217810
  3. Santarpino G, Pfeiffer S, Concistré G, Fischlein T. Sternal wound dehiscence from intense coughing in a cardiac surgery patient: could it be prevented? G Chir 2013; 34(4):112-113. pmid:23660161
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Mohamed M. Gad, MD
Research Fellow, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Heart and Vascular Institute, Cleveland Clinic

Amit Gupta, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Radiology, Division of Cardiothoracic Imaging, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH

Address: Amit Gupta, MD, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106; amit.gupta@uhhospitals.org

Issue
Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine - 86(2)
Publications
Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine
Topics
Cardiology
Imaging
Hospital Medicine
Page Number
87-88
Legacy Keywords
sternal dehiscence, sternal wires, cardiac surgery, complications, coronary artery bypass grafting, CABG, sternotomy, sternum, Mohamed Gad, Amit Gupta
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The Clinical Picture
Author(s)
Mohamed M. Gad, MD
Amit Gupta, MD
Author(s)
Mohamed M. Gad, MD
Amit Gupta, MD
Author and Disclosure Information

Mohamed M. Gad, MD
Research Fellow, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Heart and Vascular Institute, Cleveland Clinic

Amit Gupta, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Radiology, Division of Cardiothoracic Imaging, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH

Address: Amit Gupta, MD, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106; amit.gupta@uhhospitals.org

Author and Disclosure Information

Mohamed M. Gad, MD
Research Fellow, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Heart and Vascular Institute, Cleveland Clinic

Amit Gupta, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Radiology, Division of Cardiothoracic Imaging, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH

Address: Amit Gupta, MD, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106; amit.gupta@uhhospitals.org

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gad_sternaldehiscence.pdf
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Figure 1. Radiography immediately after surgery showed cardiac tamponade, which led to repeat sternotomy with mediastinal washout.
Figure 1. Radiography immediately after surgery showed cardiac tamponade, which led to repeat sternotomy with mediastinal washout.
Figure 2. On postoperative day 4, midline sternal lucency and a slight leftward deviation of the second-from-the-lowest sternal wire—early signs of dehiscence—resulted in mild loss of alignment.
Figure 2. On postoperative day 4, midline sternal lucency and a slight leftward deviation of the second-from-the-lowest sternal wire (arrow)—early signs of dehiscence—resulted in mild loss of alignment.
A 52-year-old man underwent coronary artery bypass grafting, which was complicated by cardiac tamponade requiring repeat sternotomy with mediastinal washout (Figure 1). On postoperative day 4, plain imaging revealed a midline sternal lucency and a slight leftward deviation of the second-from-the-lowest sternal wire (Figure 2), subtle signs suggesting sternal dehiscence. Those signs were missed initially, as no clinical signs of dehiscence were evident.

The next day, routine radiography showed widely separated sternal wires (Figure 3), indicating significant progression of sternal dehiscence. The patient subsequently underwent open reduction and internal fixation of the sternum.

STERNAL DEHISCENCE

Figure 3. On postoperative day 5, the widely separated sternal wires indicated advanced sternal dehiscence.
Figure 3. On postoperative day 5, the widely separated sternal wires indicated advanced sternal dehiscence.
Sternal dehiscence is a rare but serious complication of sternotomy.1 In most cases of dehiscence, the sternal wires malfunction, leading to separation of sternal fragments. Lack of proper alignment of the sternum impairs bone healing, and the loose fragments of bone and wire pose a danger of puncturing the heart, making sternal dehiscence a surgical emergency.2

Physical examination may reveal tenderness to palpation, but findings that are more characteristic are an audible click and rocking of the sternum with coughing or forced chest movements.3

Plain chest radiography can clearly show early signs of sternal dehiscence; however, physicians rarely scrutinize the films for wire placement. Subtle signs include loss of sternal alignment with shifting of the segments and central sternal lucency. Gross signs start to appear when 2 or more wires are displaced; these signs are dramatic and rarely missed.

Loss of alignment and central sternal lucency are the earliest radiographic signs of dehiscence. Awareness of early subtle signs can lead to prompt diagnosis and treatment to prevent progression to gross sternal dehiscence.

Figure 1. Radiography immediately after surgery showed cardiac tamponade, which led to repeat sternotomy with mediastinal washout.
Figure 1. Radiography immediately after surgery showed cardiac tamponade, which led to repeat sternotomy with mediastinal washout.
Figure 2. On postoperative day 4, midline sternal lucency and a slight leftward deviation of the second-from-the-lowest sternal wire—early signs of dehiscence—resulted in mild loss of alignment.
Figure 2. On postoperative day 4, midline sternal lucency and a slight leftward deviation of the second-from-the-lowest sternal wire (arrow)—early signs of dehiscence—resulted in mild loss of alignment.
A 52-year-old man underwent coronary artery bypass grafting, which was complicated by cardiac tamponade requiring repeat sternotomy with mediastinal washout (Figure 1). On postoperative day 4, plain imaging revealed a midline sternal lucency and a slight leftward deviation of the second-from-the-lowest sternal wire (Figure 2), subtle signs suggesting sternal dehiscence. Those signs were missed initially, as no clinical signs of dehiscence were evident.

The next day, routine radiography showed widely separated sternal wires (Figure 3), indicating significant progression of sternal dehiscence. The patient subsequently underwent open reduction and internal fixation of the sternum.

STERNAL DEHISCENCE

Figure 3. On postoperative day 5, the widely separated sternal wires indicated advanced sternal dehiscence.
Figure 3. On postoperative day 5, the widely separated sternal wires indicated advanced sternal dehiscence.
Sternal dehiscence is a rare but serious complication of sternotomy.1 In most cases of dehiscence, the sternal wires malfunction, leading to separation of sternal fragments. Lack of proper alignment of the sternum impairs bone healing, and the loose fragments of bone and wire pose a danger of puncturing the heart, making sternal dehiscence a surgical emergency.2

Physical examination may reveal tenderness to palpation, but findings that are more characteristic are an audible click and rocking of the sternum with coughing or forced chest movements.3

Plain chest radiography can clearly show early signs of sternal dehiscence; however, physicians rarely scrutinize the films for wire placement. Subtle signs include loss of sternal alignment with shifting of the segments and central sternal lucency. Gross signs start to appear when 2 or more wires are displaced; these signs are dramatic and rarely missed.

Loss of alignment and central sternal lucency are the earliest radiographic signs of dehiscence. Awareness of early subtle signs can lead to prompt diagnosis and treatment to prevent progression to gross sternal dehiscence.

References
  1. Olbrecht VA, Barreiro CJ, Bonde PN, et al. Clinical outcomes of noninfectious sternal dehiscence after median sternotomy. Ann Thorac Surg 2006; 82(3):902–907. doi:10.1016/j.athoracsur.2006.04.058
  2. Efthymiou CA, Kay PH, Nair UR. Repair of spontaneous right ventricular rupture following sternal dehiscence. A novel technique. Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg 2010; 10(1):12–13. doi:10.1510/icvts.2009.217810
  3. Santarpino G, Pfeiffer S, Concistré G, Fischlein T. Sternal wound dehiscence from intense coughing in a cardiac surgery patient: could it be prevented? G Chir 2013; 34(4):112-113. pmid:23660161
References
  1. Olbrecht VA, Barreiro CJ, Bonde PN, et al. Clinical outcomes of noninfectious sternal dehiscence after median sternotomy. Ann Thorac Surg 2006; 82(3):902–907. doi:10.1016/j.athoracsur.2006.04.058
  2. Efthymiou CA, Kay PH, Nair UR. Repair of spontaneous right ventricular rupture following sternal dehiscence. A novel technique. Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg 2010; 10(1):12–13. doi:10.1510/icvts.2009.217810
  3. Santarpino G, Pfeiffer S, Concistré G, Fischlein T. Sternal wound dehiscence from intense coughing in a cardiac surgery patient: could it be prevented? G Chir 2013; 34(4):112-113. pmid:23660161
Issue
Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine - 86(2)
Issue
Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine - 86(2)
Page Number
87-88
Page Number
87-88
Publications
Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine
Publications
Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine
Topics
Cardiology
Imaging
Hospital Medicine
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Article
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Dancing sternal wires: A radiologic sign of sternal dehiscence
Display Headline
Dancing sternal wires: A radiologic sign of sternal dehiscence
Legacy Keywords
sternal dehiscence, sternal wires, cardiac surgery, complications, coronary artery bypass grafting, CABG, sternotomy, sternum, Mohamed Gad, Amit Gupta
Legacy Keywords
sternal dehiscence, sternal wires, cardiac surgery, complications, coronary artery bypass grafting, CABG, sternotomy, sternum, Mohamed Gad, Amit Gupta
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