Sternal foramen

Abstract

The sternal foramen is a well-known variant of the sternum that carries the risk of life-threatening complications like pneumothorax, injury to vital structures like pericardial and cardiac puncture during acupuncture. A foramen was found in one sternum during the routine bone study of bonesof the bank which were secured in Department of Anatomy. It was oval shaped measuring 8.75 mm × 7.35 mm, present in lower one-third of the body of the sternum. Distance from a sternal angle was 68.06 mm and 25.26 mm from the lower end of the sternum. The sternal foramen is usually asymptomatic found incidentally on chest X-ray. Hence this variation should keep in mind while performing invasive procedures like sternal puncture for bone marrow aspiration to prevent life-threatening complications.