Sternalis muscle: an underestimated anterior chest wall anatomical variant

• Published in: Journal of cardiothoracic surgery Vol. 6; no. 1; p. 73
• Main Authors: Raikos, Athanasios, Paraskevas, George K, Tzika, Maria, Faustmann, Pedro, Triaridis, Stefanos, Kordali, Panagiota, Kitsoulis, Panagiotis, Brand-Saberi, Beate
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 16.05.2011; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Cadaver; Case Report; Female; Humans; Muscle, Skeletal - anatomy & histology; Muscle, Skeletal - surgery; Sternum; Thoracic Surgical Procedures; Thoracic Wall - anatomy & histology; Thoracic Wall - surgery
• ISSN: 1749-8090; 1749-8090
• DOI: 10.1186/1749-8090-6-73

Over the recent years, an increased alertness for thorough knowledge of anatomical variants with clinical significance has been recorded in order to minimize the risks of surgical complications. We report a rare case of bilateral strap-like sternalis muscle of the anterior chest wall in a female cadaver. Its presence may evoke alterations in the electrocardiogram or confuse a routine mammography. The incidental finding of a sternalis muscle in mammography, CT, and MRI studies must be documented in a patient's medical records as it can be used as a pedicle flap or flap microvascular anastomosis during reconstructive surgery of the anterior chest wall, head and neck, and breast. Moreover, its presence may be misdiagnosed as a wide range of benign and malignant anterior chest wall lesions and tumors.