HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Figures Only Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Guttentag, A. R. Articles by Salwen, J. K. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Guttentag, A. R. Articles by Salwen, J. K. Related Collections Musculoskeletal Radiology Chest Radiology

Keep Your Eyes on the Ribs: The Spectrum of Normal Variants and Diseases That Involve the Ribs¹

¹ From the Department of Radiology, Albert Einstein Medical Center, 5501 Old York Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19141. Presented as a scientific exhibit at the 1997 RSNA scientific assembly. Received October 5, 1998; revision requested October 15 and received January 14, 1999; accepted January 14. Address reprint requests to A.R.G.

A variety of normal variants or pathologic conditions of the ribs may be overlooked at chest radiography if the ribs are not evaluated carefully. Rib lesions may simulate pulmonary disease as well. Normal rib variants include cervical, intrathoracic, and pelvic ribs; forked rib; fusion and bridging; and pseudarthrosis of the first rib. Trauma-related lesions are common and usually occur in isolation but can alert the radiologist to other injuries. Metastases may appear as vague areas of increased opacity overlying the lung if seen en face and typically have a smooth interface with the lung on oblique images. Chondroid lesions nearly always arise at or near the anterior end of the rib. Osteochondroma (exostosis) typically manifests as a deformity or expansion of the rib with calcification of the cartilaginous cap. Acute rib infections are seen as focal areas of bone destruction, whereas chronic infections may manifest as periosteal reaction or a bone sequestrum. Inferior rib notching may be seen in a wide variety of pathologic conditions. Rib abnormalities may also be seen in fibrous dysplasia, Langerhans cell histiocytosis, Paget disease, and various hemoglobinopathies. In most cases, radiography is sufficient for the identification and diagnosis of normal variants and pathologic conditions of the ribs.

Index Terms: Ribs, 471.20, 471.21, 471.651, 471.66, 471.84, 471.85, 471.871 • Ribs, abnormalities, 471.14 • Ribs, fractures, 471.41 • Ribs, neoplasms, 471.31, 471.32, 471.34

This article has been cited by other articles:

				B. D. Levine, K. Motamedi, K. Chow, R. H. Gold, and L. L. Seeger CT of Rib Lesions Am. J. Roentgenol., July 1, 2009; 193(1): 5 - 13. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T.J. Gardenbroek, M. Bemelman, and L.P.H. Leenen Pseudarthrosis of the Ribs Treated with a Locking Compression Plate. A Report of Three Cases J. Bone Joint Surg. Am., June 1, 2009; 91(6): 1477 - 1479. [Full Text] [PDF]

				V. H. Mangrulkar, H. L. Cohen, and D. Dougherty Sonography for Diagnosis of Cervical Ribs in Children J. Ultrasound Med., July 1, 2008; 27(7): 1083 - 1086. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. B. J. Glass, K. I. Norton, S. A. Mitre, and E. Kang Pediatric Ribs: A Spectrum of Abnormalities RadioGraphics, January 1, 2002; 22(1): 87 - 104. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]