Kayvon F Sharif1, Fred M Baik2, Ameya A Jategaonkar3, Azita S Khorsandi4, Mark L Urken2. 1. THANC (Thyroid, Head and Neck Cancer) Foundation, 10 Union Square East, Suite 5B, New York, NY 10003, USA. Electronic address: ksharif@thancfoundation.org. 2. THANC (Thyroid, Head and Neck Cancer) Foundation, 10 Union Square East, Suite 5B, New York, NY 10003, USA; Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Mount Sinai Beth Israel Medical Center, 10 Union Square East, Suite 5B, New York, NY 10003, USA. 3. Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Mount Sinai Beth Israel Medical Center, 10 Union Square East, Suite 5B, New York, NY 10003, USA. 4. Department of Radiology, New York Eye & Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, 310 East 14th Street, New York, NY 10003, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Septic arthritis of the sternoclavicular joint is a rare infection associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Several risk factors for septic arthritis have been reported in the literature ranging from immunodeficiency to intravenous drug use. CASE PRESENTATION: A 63-year-old male previously treated for synchronous squamous cell carcinomas of the epiglottis and floor of mouth presented with tenderness and swelling of the sternoclavicular joint two months after tracheostomy decannulation. Computed tomography and bone scans confirmed the diagnosis of septic arthritis of the sternoclavicular joint. The patient's clinical course, surgical treatment, and management considerations are discussed here. CONCLUSION: Septic arthritis of the SCJ is a rare but serious infection. Once diagnosed, septic arthritis of the SCJ should be promptly treated to prevent further morbidity and mortality.
BACKGROUND:Septic arthritis of the sternoclavicular joint is a rare infection associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Several risk factors for septic arthritis have been reported in the literature ranging from immunodeficiency to intravenous drug use. CASE PRESENTATION: A 63-year-old male previously treated for synchronous squamous cell carcinomas of the epiglottis and floor of mouth presented with tenderness and swelling of the sternoclavicular joint two months after tracheostomy decannulation. Computed tomography and bone scans confirmed the diagnosis of septic arthritis of the sternoclavicular joint. The patient's clinical course, surgical treatment, and management considerations are discussed here. CONCLUSION:Septic arthritis of the SCJ is a rare but serious infection. Once diagnosed, septic arthritis of the SCJ should be promptly treated to prevent further morbidity and mortality.