Pure Intrathoracic Scapular Dislocation

American Journal of Orthopedics, cilt.45, ss.29-30, 2016 (Hakemli Dergi)

Scapular dislocation, also known as locked scapula or

scapulothoracic dislocation, is a rare entity that can be

identified as extrathoracic or intrathoracic dislocation,

depending on the penetration of the scapula into the

thoracic cavity.

The 3 reported cases of intrathoracic scapular dislocations

in the literature are associated with a preexisting

condition, such as sternoclavicular separation, prior rib

fracture, thoracotomy for a lung transplant procedure, or

surgical resection of superior ribs during breast or pulmonary

tumor excisions. There are also 3 published cases

of intrathoracic scapular impaction, involving comminuted

scapular fractures with intrathoracic impaction

of the inferior fragment through intercostal space.

We report an intrathoracic scapular dislocation that

was not associated with fracture of the scapula or predisposing

factors. To our knowledge, this is the first

case of pure intrathoracic dislocation.