Sternoclavicular joint hypertrophy and dislocation is a rare long-term post-operative complication of neck dissection with the manifestation of a slowly growing painless hard lump at the sternoclavicular joint. Though the sternoclavicular joint enlargement and dislocation has been reported sporadically in English literature,there is basically no common awareness of its corresponding clinical cases. The neglect results in an occasional misdiagnosis and dispensable operative intervention. This review summarizes the current knowledge regarding the mechanism, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of post-operative sternoclavicular joint hypertrophy and dislocation of neck dissection in order to improve clinicians’ understanding about this complication.
