Published online Jun 18, 2017. doi: 10.5312/wjo.v8.i6.455
Peer-review started: December 16, 2016
First decision: March 27, 2017
Revised: April 1, 2017
Accepted: April 23, 2017
Article in press: April 24, 2017
Published online: June 18, 2017
Processing time: 184 Days and 11.1 Hours
Sternal metastases are not studied extensively in the literature. There is a paucity of information on their role in metastatic disease. The concept of the fourth column was described by Berg in 1993, and has been proven in case report, clinically and biomechanical studies. The role of the sternum as a support to the thoracic spine is well documented in the trauma patients, but not much is known about its role in cancer patients. This review examines what is known on the role of the fourth column. Following this we have identified two likely scenarios that sternal metastases may impact management: (1) sternal pathological fracture increases the mobility of the semi-rigid thorax with the loss of the biomechanical support of the sternum-rib-thoracic spine complex; and (2) a sternal metastasis increases the risk of fracture, and while being medical treated the thoracic spine should be monitored for acute kyphosis and neurological injury secondarily to the insufficiency of the fourth column.
Core tip: The sternal-rib complex provides additional support to the thoracic spine. The role of sternal fracture affecting the stability of the thoracic spine is well established in trauma, to date however its role in metastatic disease is unclear. Biomechanical studies highlight its importance and the presence of sternal metastasis should be considered when assessing the stability of the thoracic spine in metastatic disease.