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Isolated costal cartilage fracture: an unusual cause of an anterior chest mass in a toddler

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Abstract

A 17-month-old boy presented with a palpable anterior chest wall mass and was evaluated by chest radiography, sonography, and MRI. No history of trauma was provided initially. Sonography and MRI showed a costal cartilage fracture with overlying hematoma. Identification of a fracture isolated to the costal cartilage is rare and this is a unique case among children. In the appropriate clinical setting, costal cartilage fractures can be confirmed by sonography alone, and follow-up assessment can be based on clinical evaluation without the need for additional cross-sectional imaging.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH, 45229-3039, USA

    Robert C. Orth & Tal Laor

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  1. Robert C. Orth
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  2. Tal Laor
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Correspondence to Tal Laor.

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Orth, R.C., Laor, T. Isolated costal cartilage fracture: an unusual cause of an anterior chest mass in a toddler. Pediatr Radiol 39, 985–987 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-009-1276-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-009-1276-8

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