Septic arthritis of the sternoclavicular joint: A unique late complication after tracheostomy

Authors

Kayvon F. Sharif, THANC (Thyroid, Head and Neck Cancer) Foundation, 10 Union Square East, Suite 5B, New York, NY 10003, USA. Electronic address: ksharif@thancfoundation.org.
Fred M. Baik, 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.
Ameya A. Jategaonkar, 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.
Azita S. Khorsandi, Department of Radiology, New York Eye & Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, 310 East 14th Street, New York, NY 10003, USA.
Mark L. Urken, 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.

Document Type

Article

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.

Medical Subject Headings

Arthritis, Infectious (diagnosis, etiology, therapy); Head and Neck Neoplasms (surgery); Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Postoperative Complications; Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck (surgery); Sternoclavicular Joint; Tracheostomy (adverse effects)

Publication Date

9-1-2018

Publication Title

American journal of otolaryngology

E-ISSN

1532-818X

Volume

39

Issue

5

First Page

646

Last Page

648

PubMed ID

29776683

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1016/j.amjoto.2018.05.005

Recommended Citation

Sharif, Kayvon F.; Baik, Fred M.; Jategaonkar, Ameya A.; Khorsandi, Azita S.; and Urken, Mark L., "Septic arthritis of the sternoclavicular joint: A unique late complication after tracheostomy" (2018). ENT and Skull Base Surgery. 9.
https://scholar.barrowneuro.org/ent-and-skull-base-surgery/9