Tracheal compression secondary to posterior sternoclavicular dislocation.

Posterior sternoclavicular dislocation (PSCD) is uncommon but may cause severe mediastinal injury. We report the case of a patient with PSCD and symptomatic tracheal compression requiring surgical intervention. This was a 16-year-old male with direct chest injury presenting with pain in the right shoulder and cough forty-eight hours after the event. On physical examination, deformity of the sternoclavicular joint and limited abduction (90◦) was observed. The chest X-ray showed posterior sternoclavicular dislocation. Closed reduction was performed and the joint was immobilized with a sling. Fifteen days later, cough, stridor and breathing difficulties persisted. Computed tomography (CT) confirmed right PSCD with severe tracheal compression (Fig. 1).