Congenital Pseudarthrosis of the Clavicle: A Case Report

• Main Authors: TA Beslikas, DJ Dadoukis, IP Gigis, SP Nenopoulos, JE Christoforides
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: SAGE Publishing 2007-04-01
• Series: Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1177/230949900701500120

Congenital pseudarthrosis of the clavicle is a rare entity of unknown aetiology. Its pathogenesis is related to the embryology of the clavicle. We present a 6-year-old girl with congenital pseudarthrosis of the right clavicle. A prominence was noticed at birth between the middle and distal ends of the clavicle that increased in size when the right shoulder was actively mobilised. Radiographic examination revealed a hypertrophic pseudarthrosis of the clavicle. The pseudarthrosis was resected and the clavicular segments were fixed with an external fixator for 2 months until union. Clinical results were excellent at the 7-year follow-up: the right shoulder was pain-free and the appearance satisfactory. Surgical treatment of congenital pseudarthrosis of the clavicle in children using an external fixator provides a better cosmetic outcome with smaller postoperative scars and avoids a second surgical procedure to remove the implants.