Costal hook sign (flail chest)

Last revised by Daniel J Bell on 30 Mar 2018

Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data

Citation:

Gaillard F, Bell D, Costal hook sign (flail chest). Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 18 Apr 2024) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-57330

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-57330

Permalink:

https://radiopaedia.org/articles/57330

rID:

57330

Article created:

19 Dec 2017, Frank Gaillard ◉ ◈

Disclosures:

At the time the article was created Frank Gaillard had no recorded disclosures.

View Frank Gaillard's current disclosures

Last revised:

30 Mar 2018, Daniel J Bell ◉

Disclosures:

At the time the article was last revised Daniel J Bell had no recorded disclosures.

View Daniel J Bell's current disclosures

Revisions:

2 times, by 2 contributors - see full revision history and disclosures

Systems:

Chest, Trauma

Sections:

Signs

Tags:

ribs

Synonyms:

Flail chest (costal hook sign)

The costal hook sign is a chest x-ray feature seen in some cases of flail chest. It represents the rotation of a fractured rib along its long axis, something that is only possible if a second fracture is present along its length, even if the second fracture is not visible ¹.