Kirum G G, Munabi I G, Kukiriza J, Tumusiime G, Kange M, Ibingira C, Buwembo W
Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
Department of Anatomy, Earnest Cook Ultrasound Research and Education Institute (ECUREI), Kampala, Uganda.
Folia Morphol (Warsz). 2017;76(4):689-694. doi: 10.5603/FM.a2017.0026. Epub 2017 Mar 29.
Anatomical variations of the sternal angle and anomalies of the sternum are unique happenings of major clinical significance. It is known that misplaced sternal angles may lead to inaccurate counting of ribs and create challenges with intercostal nerve blocks and needle thoracostomies. Sternal foramina may pose a great hazard during sternal puncture, due to inadvertent cardiac or great vessel injury. These sternal variations and anomalies are rarely reported among Africans. The aim of this study was to determine the anatomical variations of the sternal angle and anomalies of the sternum among adult dry human sterna at the Galloway osteological collection, Makerere University, Uganda.
This was a descriptive cross sectional study in which quantitative and qualitative data were collected. The study examined 85 adult human sterna at the Department of Anatomy, Makerere University. Univariate and bivariate analyses were done using SPSS 21.0 for Windows.
Over 40% (36/85) of the specimens had variations in size, location and fusion of the sternal angle. There was no significant difference in the mean size of the sternal angle in males at 163.4 ± 6.7o compared with 165.0 ± 6.4o in females (p = 0.481). Of the 85 specimens examined, only 21 (24.7%) had a xiphoid process. The most frequent sternal anomalies were bifid xiphoid process 42.9% (9/21) and sternal foramen 12.9% (11/85).
Sternal variations and anomalies are prevalent in the Galloway osteological collection and there is need for increased awareness of these findings as they may determine the accuracy of clinical and other procedures in the thoracic region.
胸骨角的解剖变异和胸骨异常是具有重大临床意义的独特现象。众所周知，胸骨角位置异常可能导致肋骨计数不准确，并给肋间神经阻滞和针吸胸腔造口术带来挑战。胸骨孔在胸骨穿刺过程中可能因意外损伤心脏或大血管而造成极大危害。这些胸骨变异和异常在非洲人中很少被报道。本研究的目的是确定乌干达马凯雷雷大学加洛韦骨学收藏馆中成年干燥人胸骨的胸骨角解剖变异和胸骨异常情况。
这是一项描述性横断面研究，收集了定量和定性数据。该研究对马凯雷雷大学解剖学系的85具成人胸骨进行了检查。使用SPSS 21.0 for Windows进行单变量和双变量分析。
超过40%（36/85）的标本在胸骨角的大小、位置和融合方面存在变异。男性胸骨角的平均大小为163.4±6.7°，女性为165.0±6.4°，差异无统计学意义（p = 0.481）。在检查的85个标本中，只有21个（24.7%）有剑突。最常见的胸骨异常是剑突裂42.9%（9/21）和胸骨孔12.9%（11/85）。
加洛韦骨学收藏馆中胸骨变异和异常很普遍，需要提高对这些发现的认识，因为它们可能决定胸部临床和其他操作的准确性。
