Radiology, Vol 170, 117-119, Copyright © 1989 by Radiological Society of North America
Stress-related rib and vertebral changes
AJ Macones Jr, MS Fisher and JL Locke
Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA 19140.
In the course of routine chest examination, 80 asymptomatic patients were
observed to have localized hyperostosis of the posterior ribs and
articulating transverse processes. The authors studied the distributions of
lesions in these 80 patients, and records were reviewed in the 50 cases in
which they were available. The occupational histories, male-to-female ratio
(5:1), and ratio of right-to-left rib involvement (9:1)--in addition to
results of electromyographic and histologic studies and the principles of
bone remodeling--suggest that this hyperostosis occurs at sites most
stressed with bending and rotation of the thorax. The authors hypothesize
that this stress- related change occurs due to the pull of the iliocostalis
thoracis muscle and is of no clinical significance.
