A Case of Bilateral Bifid Rib Misinterpreted as a Fracture in Post-Trauma Computed Tomography

Year 2025, Volume: 1 Issue: 1, 33 - 37, 24.01.2025

İsmail Sarbay , Kıvanç Öncü , Teoman Erşen , İbrahim Sarbay

Abstract

Chest trauma frequently results in injuries to the ribs and soft tissues, often requiring imaging to differentiate fractures from other conditions. A 56-year-old female presented with chest pain after a fall, and an initial chest X-ray raised suspicion of a rib fracture. A follow-up computed tomography (CT) scan also suggested a displaced fracture of the left seventh rib. However, upon detailed review and 3D reconstruction of the CT images, a congenital bifid deformity of the left seventh and right sixth ribs was identified. This anomaly was initially misinterpreted as a fracture. Bifid ribs, a rare congenital anomaly found in less than 2% of the population, are typically asymptomatic and discovered incidentally. In this case, the patient’s pain was attributed to soft tissue injury rather than the bifid rib. Conservative management with analgesics resolved the symptoms. The case highlights the importance of advanced imaging techniques, such as 3D CT, in accurately diagnosing congenital rib anomalies to avoid unnecessary interventions.

Keywords

Bifid Rib, Rib Fracture, Chest Trauma, Computed Tomography, 3D Reconstruction

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