A study on medico-legal and clinical aspects of congenital sternal foramina

Sternal foramen is a congenital round bony defect present in the body of sternum which results from incomplete union of the sternal ossification centres. Usually the defect is asymptomatic and only be detected by CT scan. But at times, it may be misinterpreted as gun shot or stab wound. In clinical practice, sudden unexpected death may take place during sternal puncture and biopsy as a result of cardiac puncture and tamponade. The present study was carried out by choosing 96 dry sternal bones which were used as a teaching material in the Department of Forensic medicine and Anatomy, CCM Medical College, Durg, Chhattisgarh and MIMER Medical College, Talegaon, Pune, Maharashtra. These sternal bones were examined for the presence of sternal foramen and it was found in 4.1% of cases. It is important for medical practitioners, radiologists and acupunturists to have a concrete knowledge of sternal anomalies before doing any procedures to avoid complications.