Congenital Sternal Foramen: Incidental Finding During Autopsy - A Case Report
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48165/jfmt.2026.43.02.24Keywords:
Sternal foramen, Congenital anomaly, Autopsy, Sternum defect, Forensic medicineAbstract
The sternal foramen is a congenital midline defect of the sternum resulting from incomplete fusion of ossification centres during embryonic development. Although typically asymptomatic and often detected incidentally during imaging, autopsy, or invasive procedures, its clinical relevance lies in the potential for serious complications if unrecognised, particularly during sternal puncture or acupuncture. This case report presents the incidental finding of a solitary, round, midline sternal foramen during the medicolegal autopsy of an unidentified Indian male aged approximately 20-30 years. The foramen measured 6 mm in diameter and was located in the lower third of the mesosternum, at the level of the fourth intercostal space, with a manubrio-foraminal distance of 14.2 cm. The foramen’s margins were smooth and regular, with no evidence of trauma or pathological changes, confirming its congenital origin. From a forensic point of view, this defect needs to be differentiated from pathological and traumatic lesions and may be helpful in identifying the victim through comparison with previous radiological reports.
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