©The Author(s) 2017. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Orthop. Jun 18, 2017; 8(6): 455-460
Published online Jun 18, 2017. doi: 10.5312/wjo.v8.i6.455
Published online Jun 18, 2017. doi: 10.5312/wjo.v8.i6.455
Sternal metastasis - the forgotten column and its effect on thoracic spine stability
Robert Pearse Piggott, Mark Curtin, Sudarshan Munigangaiah, Mutaz Jadaan, John Patrick McCabe, Aiden Devitt, Department of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery, Galway University Hospitals, the West/North West Hospitals Group, HSE, Galway H91 YR71, Ireland
Author contributions: All authors equally contributed to this paper with conception and design of the study, literature review and analysis, drafting and critical revision and editing, and final approval of the final version.
Conflict-of-interest statement: Regarding the paper entitled “Sternal Metastasis - the forgotten column and its effect on thoracic spine stability”; the authors do not report any conflict of interest.
Correspondence to: Robert Pearse Piggott, Orthopaedic Specialist Registrar, Department of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery, Galway University Hospitals, the West/North West Hospitals Group, HSE, Newcastle Road, Galway H91 YR71, Ireland. robpiggott1@gmail.com
Telephone: +353-091-544000
Received: December 13, 2016
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
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
Core Tip
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.