Abstract
Background Morphological and tissue density analysis of the sternum can be performed in the
preoperative computed tomography (CT). The purpose of this study was to analyze morphology
and tissue density of sternum in CT and effect for comparison sternal instability.
Methods Patients with sternal instability (n = 61) and sternal stability (n = 66) were enrolled in this study. All of the patients were studied using same thorax
CT procedure. All the measurements were performed by one specific cardiovascular radiologist.
The Hounsfield units (HUs) were measured in axial sections of the sternum trabecular
bone.
Results Sternal instability group mean HU was 75.36 ± 13.19 and sternal stability group HU
was 90.24 ± 12.16 (p < 0.000). HU is the statically significant predictor of sternal instability.
Conclusion Our study showed a significant correlation between the mean HU value of sternum and
sternal instability. We think that it is important to evaluate the existing thorax
CT while performing preoperative risk analysis for sternal dehiscence.
Keywords
sternum - computed tomography - CT scan - wound infection
