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Case Reports
. 2025 Aug 12;17(8):e89948.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.89948. eCollection 2025 Aug.

Rare Case of Asymptomatic Sternal Wire Migration Into the Ascending Thoracic Aorta Following Thoracic Surgery

François Reul  1 , Valérie Lacroix  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Rare Case of Asymptomatic Sternal Wire Migration Into the Ascending Thoracic Aorta Following Thoracic Surgery

François Reul et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

We report the case of a 62-year-old woman who underwent complex thoracic surgery for a Pancoast tumor, involving both posterior and anterior approaches, including a posterior cervical incision and a right anterior cervico-sterno-thoracotomy. Approximately one year after surgery, computed tomography angiography revealed a rare finding of a sternal wire embedded in the ascending aorta, posterior to the sternum. The patient was asymptomatic at the time of discovery. We present key imaging findings and describe the successful surgical re-intervention performed to remove the wire. This case highlights the critical importance of proper positioning and secure tightening of sternal wires during closure to prevent potentially serious complications in both cardiac and thoracic surgeries.

Keywords: ascending thoracic aorta; sternal closure; sternal wire; sternotomy complications; thoracic surgery.

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Conflict of interest statement

Human subjects: Informed consent for treatment and open access publication was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Chest X-ray showing protrusion of the loop of the first sternal wire into the anterior mediastinum
Figure 2
Figure 2. Computed tomography angiography showing a sternal wire penetrating the ascending thoracic aorta
Figure 3
Figure 3. Postoperative computed tomography angiography after removal of the sternal wire
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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