Sternum MRI

MRI of the sternum and sternoclavicular joints. Evaluates sternal fractures, osteomyelitis, and retrosternal pathology without radiation.

The sternum MRI provides imaging of the manubrium, body, and xiphoid process of the sternum along with the sternoclavicular and manubriosternal joints. This examination is less commonly performed but highly valuable for specific clinical scenarios where CT radiation should be avoided or where MRI's superior soft-tissue contrast is needed. The protocol includes sagittal, coronal, and axial T1, T2, and STIR sequences. The radiologist evaluates for sternal fractures (particularly stress fractures that may be occult on X-ray and CT), osteomyelitis following median sternotomy, SAPHO syndrome (synovitis-acne-pustulosis-hyperostosis-osteitis), and retrosternal masses or thymic pathology. The STIR sequence is especially sensitive to bone marrow oedema in early sternal pathology. Common indications include anterior chest pain following trauma, post-sternotomy complications, suspected sternal infection, and evaluation of palpable sternal masses. MRI avoids the radiation exposure of CT and provides better characterization of bone marrow and soft-tissue abnormalities.