Congenital pseudoarthrosis of clavicle is the congenital failure of the fusion of the medial and lateral ossification centers of the clavicle. It is a rare anomaly and was first described by Saint-Pierre reported congenital failure of clavicle formation.
The condition leads to a painless mass over the clavicle. The pseudoarthrosis is usually seen on the right side though bilateral cases have been reported.
The pseudoarthrosis is fully present at birth.
Functional impairment is uncommon in children.
Familial incidence is reported in some patients, particularly in bilateral cases.
Causes and Pathophysiology
Clavicle connects the sternum to the acromion and provides support for shoulder function. The clavicle is the first bone of the fetus to ossify. this occurs around fifth week of gestation.
It is formed by two primary ossification centers, one medial and one lateral. These fuse around 8th week to result in one whole clavicle. When these ossification centers fail to fuse, it results in congenital pseudarthrosis. A fiborus tissue bridges the defect in most cases.
The bone ends at the defect appear sclerotic and may be tapered.
Disruption of membranous ossification due to environmental insult or anatomic or mechanical event could be the cause.
The exact cause and pathogenesis is unknown. It has been thought to be caused by excessive pulsation of the
subjacent subclavian artery against the clavicle.
Abnormal intrauterine position has been suggested as possible causes too
It must be noted that the defect is not due to the nonunion of a birth fracture of normal bone as all neonatal clavicular fractures unite rapidly with massive callus.’
The cervical rib can be associated in about 15%.
Clinical Presentation
A swelling just lateral to the middle of the clavicle is discovered at birth or after. The swelling is not painful or tender. There is no history of birth injury or other trauma. Most of the cases present by two weeks of age.
The child does not have symptoms and there is no functional impairment even in older children.
At the site of pseudoarthrosis, the adjacent ends of the fragments are enlarged. The fragments are mobile and this mobility between them is painless.
The sternal fragment [one attached to the sternum or medial fragment] is tilted upward and lies in front of and slightly above the medial end of the smaller acromial portion [lateral one]
The deformity tends to become more obvious with the child’s growth. Pseudoarthrosis may become painful with some activities that involve movements above head level or with direct compression of the focus.
The deformity usually increases and becomes unsightly with further growth, more so when there is marked mobility at the site of the pseudarthrosis. The overlying skin becomes thin and atrophic.
The parents and older children are often concerned about the unsightliness of the swelling.
Mild drooping of the affected shoulder with asymmetry and prominence of the vertical border of the scapula may be noted on examination.
Some children may complain of mild pain around the shoulder girdle and upper arm.
There is little or no functional disability. Some children may complain of the limitation of shoulder abduction.
Imaging
The radiographic findings are characteristic. The recommended view is anteroposterior view of the clavicle.
The typical finding is the presence of clear separation of the bone and the presence of rounded sclerotic bone ends.
The medial fragment is positioned above the lateral fragment because of the action of muscle forces and the postural traction exerted by the weight of the upper limb.
There are no other skeletal abnormalities and this feature distinguishes it from cleidocranial dysostosis.
MRI is rarely indicated but may be used to determine the extent of the fibrous union, the location of the great vessels, and the space available within the thoracic outlet.
Treatment
The conservative treatment of congenital pseudoarthrosis of clavicle achieves does not result in the union. But not all the cases require surgical treatment too. Most of the cases have minimal symptoms and cosmetic deformity can be managed conservatively.
Surgery is mainly done for cosmetic concerns. Other indications for operative treatment are progressive pain, functional limitation, and late-starting thoracic outlet syndrome.
Treatment consists of
- Excision of the pseudoarthrosis mass
- Curettage of the bone ends
- Internal fixation
- clavicle plate
- Bone Grafting
The procedure is done in 3-6 years of age group.
Image Credit: Eorif
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I was born with pseudoarthrosis of the clavicle. I had 2 or 3 surgeries to fix it when I was around 4-6. After the first time I had the surgery, my parents were told that I looked like I fell out of a tree and needed the surgery again, so I went through the surgery a second time. Each time, the used a piece of my hip bones to connect the clavicle. I don’t remember if I had a 3rd surgery or not. I was very young. When I was 13, my clavicle started hurting doing basic things like writing at my school desk. Now I am 24 and have severe pain under my right shoulder blade and experience pain when I lift my arm higher than shoulder-level and if I lift objects heavier than 5 pounds with my right arm (I’m a small person anyway, so I can’t lift much more than 5-10 pounds regardless, but there is only pain in my right clavicle and shoulder area). I was let go from my job when my doctor told me I can’t lift more than 5 pounds. I haven’t found any research done on the aftermath of adults with pseudoarthrosis of the clavicle and was wondering if anyone has similar experiences to me.
Hey I also have pseudoarthrosis of the clavicle, I think. my shoulder is lower on my right side and when I am doing training with weights it feels as though the ligaments in my shoulder are being unnaturally stretched. My trapezius muscle above the affected shoulder seems non-existent. I am able to get my scapula to stick out by putting my arm behind my back and pressing my shoulder inwards towards my sternum. The affected shoulder also hangs closer to my sternum than my left shoulder does. I want to be able to lift weights and improve my strength but I am afraid that my shoulder will wear out more quickly because of this condition. My parents say that when I was a baby and they laid me on the side with the condition, I reeled back in pain. That seems more indicative of a fracture at birth but the article says that the bones fuse together very quickly if it is a fracture. Any help would be appreciated!
Jon,
For all your concerns, you would be better served by a doctor who could see you in person.
Take care.