Osteoradionecrosis of the Anterior Thoracic Wall after Radiation Therapy for Breast Cancer

Abstract

Although osteoradionecrosis of the thoracic wall is rare, severe complications following radiation therapy for breast cancer can occur. The authors report the case of a 65-year-old woman who developed osteoradionecrosis in the left thoracic wall 17 years after undergoing radiation therapy for breast cancer. Chest CT revealed fractures in the left third and fourth ribs as well as in the sternal body, with severe sclerotic and lytic changes and cortical irregularity. Ultrasonography of the left chest wall revealed diffuse edematous changes in the overlying skin layer. Radiologists should be familiar with the imaging findings of osteoradionecrosis to differentiate osteoradionecrosis from bony metastasis.

Keywords

• radiotherapy
• osteoradionecrosis
• breast cancer
• thoracic wall