Differential Diagnosis for a Prominent Left Clavicle
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Fracture of the left clavicle: This is a common injury that can cause the clavicle to become prominent or protrude due to the displacement of the bone fragments.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Clavicular osteolysis: A condition where the clavicle erodes, potentially leading to a prominent appearance due to the loss of bone mass.
- Muscle atrophy: Atrophy of the muscles around the clavicle, such as the deltoid or trapezius, can make the clavicle appear more prominent.
- Scoliosis or kyphosis: Spinal deformities can alter the alignment of the shoulders, making one clavicle appear more prominent than the other.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Thoracic outlet syndrome: Although less likely, this condition involves compression of the nerves and/or blood vessels between the clavicle and first rib, which could potentially cause a clavicle to appear more prominent due to swelling or muscle spasm.
- Osteomyelitis or bone infection: An infection of the clavicle could lead to swelling and prominence, and is crucial not to miss due to the potential for serious complications.
- Metastatic bone disease: Cancer that has spread to the clavicle could cause it to become prominent, and is a critical diagnosis not to overlook.
Rare Diagnoses
- Cleidocranial dysplasia: A rare genetic disorder that affects the development of bones and teeth, potentially leading to abnormal clavicle formation and appearance.
- Ehlers-Danlos syndrome: A group of disorders that affect connective tissues supporting the skin, bones, blood vessels, and many other organs and tissues, which could potentially lead to a prominent clavicle due to joint hypermobility or muscle weakness.
- Neurofibromatosis: A genetic disorder that causes tumors to form on nerve tissue, which could potentially lead to a prominent clavicle if a tumor develops in the area.