Scintigraphic and CT findings of Tietze's syndrome: report of a case and review of the literature

Abstract

A case of Tietze's syndrome is reported. A 43-year-old woman, who had experienced right anterior chest pain and tender swelling of the right first costosternal junction for seven months, showed increased accumulation of the right first, the right fourth, and the left first costochondral junction on bone imaging. Ga-67 imaging showed increased accumulation at the right first costosternal junction. CT showed sclerosis of the sternal manubrium, partial calcification of costal cartilage, and soft tissue swelling. Biopsy of the right first costal cartilage showed chronic inflammation with fibrosis and ossification. Increased uptake of bone gallium imaging is consistent with Tietze's syndrome.