Costochondritis of the costal arch.

Abstract

Costochondritis is a rare and symptom-poor affliction which often remains unrecognized for a long time. The diagnosis depends upon the patient's history and the physician's acquaintance with the disease. Body temperature, X-ray examination including sinography, WBC count and bacterial examination may be non-informative. Local resection of the affected cartilage, excochleation, cauterisation, irrigation and antibiotic treatment most often lead only to recurrence of the ailment. The definitive treatment consists of total resection of one or both costal cartilaginous arches. The cases of two patients are described.