CASE 5149 Published on 26.10.2006

Developmental articulation between the anterior ends of the first and second rib: normal anatomical variant

Section

Musculoskeletal system

Case Type

Anatomy and Functional Imaging

Authors

Alessandro Sias, Antonella Balestrieri, Carola Politi, Giorgio Mallarini

Patient

28 years, male

Clinical History
Chest x-ray radiograph performed for cough in a young male patient.
Imaging Findings
Chest PA radiograph performed for severe, long standing cough. No focal lung lesions are seen. The cardiaca shadow appears normal. As an incidental finding, there is a joint formation between the first and second right rib.
Discussion
The developmental, additional articulation between two or more ribs is one of the normal variants in the development of the thoracic cage. It may be present between the anterior or posterior arch, and it may sometimes be mistaken for a lesion of the underlying lung parenchyma (1).
Differential Diagnosis List
Normal anatomical variation, with joint formation between the arch of the first and second right rib.
Final Diagnosis
Normal anatomical variation, with joint formation between the arch of the first and second right rib.
Case information
URL: https://www.eurorad.org/case/5149
DOI: 10.1594/EURORAD/CASE.5149
ISSN: 1563-4086