Notching of the ribs


Notching of the ribs is a radiologic sign where the surface of the rib is deformed. It can be characterized as unilateral or bilateral, and should be differentiated between affecting the upper or lower surface of the rib.

Causes

Inferior rib notching can be associated with aortic coarctation, superior vena caval obstruction, arteriovenous fistula, or following a Blalock Taussig shunt.
Causes of inferior rib notching by etiology:
Arterial: aortic coarctation, aortic thrombosis, pulmonary-oligemia/arteriovenous malformation, Blalock Taussig shunt, Tetralogy of fallot, absent pulmonary artery and pulmonary stenosis.
Venous: arteriovenous malformations of chest wall, superior vena cava or other central venous obstruction.
Neurogenic: intercostal neuroma, Neurofibromatosis type 1, poliomyelitis.
Osseous: hyperparathyroidism, thalassemia, Melnick–Needles syndrome.
Other causes of superior rib notching include: poliomyelitis, osteogenesis imperfecta, neurofibromatosis, Marfan's syndrome, collagen vascular disease, and hyperparathyroidism.