We discovered a unique case of complete cartilaginous duplication of the rib cage in a cadaver, never previously described in the literature. A retrospective review of the patient's medical records revealed an antecedent history of progressive tobacco-related emphysema leading to death from end stage respiratory failure. Prior imaging studies consisting of plain radiographs and computed tomograms of the chest had failed to show several underlying cartilaginous duplications of the rib cage. The clinical significance and the potential contribution of this entity to this patient's clinical course remains unanswered.
Aged Aged, 80 and over