Imaging Findings

(A) Frontal chest radiograph demonstrates displacement of multiple sternal wires. The lungs are hypoinflated, and linear atelectasis is seen at the lung bases. (B) Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) of the chest (soft-tissue windows) through the upper sternum demonstrates a sternal abscess (arrows). (C) Contrast-enhanced CT of the chest (soft-tissue windows) through the lower sternum shows sternal nonunion with extension of the abscess into the anterior mediastinum. Note the fat stranding and pericardial effusion (arrow