Retrosternal Dislocation of the Clavicle

Posterior dislocation of the clavicle at the sternoclavicular joint is rare. Nonetheless, prompt diagnosis is important because the posteriorly displaced clavicle may produce serious morbidity and even death. Symptoms are variable, depending on the structures in the superior mediastinum affected. A special simple x-ray projection (the “Heinig” projection) which has been found extremely useful in the diagnosis of sternoclavicular dislocations is described. Radiographs of posterior and anterior dislocations are compared.