Manubriosternal joint: imaging features of normal anatomy and arthritis

Abstract

Normal findings of the manubriosternal joint vary and include narrowing, irregularity, and ankylosis. Proliferative changes are common during the degenerative process, and they include osteophyte formation and sclerosis. Ankylosis may be an end result. Imaging features of inflammatory arthritides are also generally nonspecific. Bone marrow and adjacent soft tissue change on magnetic resonance imaging with no radiographic findings is a relatively early change. Only erosion and fluffy adjacent bone resorption on plain radiography and computed tomography are specific features of active arthritis.