Is costochondral calcification serious?

Calcification of costal cartilage increases with age and it is rare before the age of thirty years. Early onset of costochondral calcification can be associated several endocrine and metabolic diseases, following a trauma, infections, malignancies or due to genetic factors and very rarely idiopathic.

What is a costochondral calcification?

The anterior, medial ends of the ribs are normally cartilaginous, and usually are not visible on a chest X-ray. With ageing the cartilage is increasingly calcified and can be particularly marked in some individuals, as in this image.

What causes calcification on the ribs?

Be- fore that age, calcification of the costal car- tilages may be associated with chronic renal failure, thyroid disease, autoimmune disor- ders, and chondrosarcoma [2]. The normal patterns of calcification differ between males and females, usually appearing as peripheral parallel lines in males (Fig.

What does calcification of the costal cartilage mean?

Calcification of the costal cartilages, which are bars of hyaline cartilage found at the anterior ends of the ribs which serve to prolong the ribs forward and contribute to the elasticity of the walls of the thorax. [ from HPO]

What is rib ossification?

The ribs begin as cartilage that later ossifies – a process called endochondral ossification. Primary ossification centers are located near the angle of each rib, and ossification continues in the direction away from the head and neck.

What is the best treatment for costochondritis?

Treatments for costochondritis Taking a type of medication called a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as ibuprofen and naproxen, 2 or 3 times a day can also help control the pain and swelling. Aspirin is also a suitable alternative, but should not be given to children under 16 years old.

What is the Costochondral Junction?

The costochondral junctions are located between the distal part of the ribs and the costal cartilages, which are bars of hyaline cartilage that connect the ribs to the sternum. [ from HPO]

What causes cartilage calcification?

Calcification disease mostly occurs due to the aging process (degenerative) which attacks the joints of the body, especially the joints that support the weight such as the knees, hips and ankles, while the loss attacks the bones in the body, especially the spine and hips, which causes bones to become brittle and easy …

Can MRI detect calcifications?

Some radiologists call these “unidentified bright objects,” or UBOs. MRI also cannot detect calcifications (calcium deposits in breast tissue that could be a sign of cancer). Finally, MRI can dislodge certain metal devices, such as pacemakers, in some people.

When do ribs ossify?

Rib Development and Normal Anatomy Rib development begins at 9 weeks; secondary ossification centers appear at 15 years (,1,,2). The first seven “true” ribs connect to the sternum via the costal cartilages by day 45. The lower five “false” ribs do not articulate with the sternum.