Honeycomb Sternum Mimicking Manubriosternal Dislocation in a Pediatric Trauma Patient.

This case report describes a four-year-old girl who presented to the emergency department after falling from a height. The initial assessment, including a chest X-ray, raised concern for a manubriosternal joint dislocation. To further evaluate the suspected sternal injury, blood tests and a CT chest were performed. These investigations revealed no signs of acute trauma but instead identified a normal anatomical variant, non-fused lateral ossification centers of the sternum, commonly referred to as "honeycomb sternum." This case underscores the importance of recognizing developmental variants in pediatric patients to prevent misdiagnosis, unnecessary imaging, and avoidable referrals.