Pectus Excavatum: A Review of Diagnosis and Current Treatment Options

J Am Osteopath Assoc. 2017 Feb 1;117(2):106-113. doi: 10.7556/jaoa.2017.021.

Abstract

Osteopathic medicine places a special emphasis on the musculoskeletal system, and understanding how chest wall structure may influence function is critical. Pectus excavatum is a common congenital chest wall defect in which the sternum is depressed posteriorly. Patients may present with complaints of chest wall discomfort, exercise intolerance, and tachycardia. The medical implications, diagnosis, and treatment options for patients with pectus excavatum are reviewed.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Echocardiography / methods
  • Electrocardiography / methods
  • Exercise Test / methods
  • Female
  • Funnel Chest / diagnostic imaging*
  • Funnel Chest / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Internal Fixators*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Male
  • Manipulation, Osteopathic / methods
  • Multimodal Imaging / methods*
  • Plastic Surgery Procedures / methods
  • Prognosis
  • Respiratory Function Tests
  • Risk Assessment
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Thoracotomy / methods*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods
  • Treatment Outcome