Computed tomography of the normal sternoclavicular joint.

Abstract

The objective of this work was to establish a reference population for the study of the sternoclavicular joint (SCJ). A prospective study of the SCJ was carried out by high-resolution computed tomography (CT). CT images were read by two radiologists and two rheumatologists using a pre-established grid (27 elementary signs). Sixty healthy subjects, homogeneously distributed by sex and decade of life, from 20 to 80 years old, were studied. The main results were the following: 98% of healthy subjects presented at least one sign; mean number of signs per subject was 2.4 +/- 1.9; mean number of signs was higher ( P < 0.005) in men (mean = 3.1 +/- 2.1) than in women (mean = 1.7 +/- 1.3); number of signs increased with age (P < 0.001). Some signs were very frequent: "ossification of the first costal cartilage" (88%), "Surrounded subchondral clavicular erosion" (27%). Some signs were significantly more frequent in the elderly: "sternal osteophyte" after the age of 70 (P < 0.01) and "meniscal calcification" (P < 0.01) and "sternal subchondral sclerosis" (P < 0.05) after the age of 60. The number of clavicular signs was greater than that of sternal signs (P < 0.001). These results can be used as references for the study of the SCJ.