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Pectus excavatum
Funnel chest; Cobbler's chest; Sunken chest
Pectus excavatum is a medical term that describes an abnormal formation of the rib cage that gives the chest a caved-in or sunken appearance.
Considerations
Pectus excavatum is often a congenital (present at birth) abnormality. Or, it can develop after birth. The condition can be mild or severe.
Pectus excavatum is due to too much growth of the connective tissue that joins the ribs to the breastbone (sternum). This causes the sternum to grow inward. As a result, there is a depression in the chest over the sternum, which may appear quite deep.
If the condition is severe, the heart and lungs can be affected. Also, the way the chest looks may cause emotional stress for the child.
Causes
The exact cause is unknown. Pectus excavatum occurs by itself. Or there may be a family history of the condition. Other medical problems linked with this condition include:
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Marfan syndrome
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Noonan syndrome
Noonan syndrome
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Rickets
Rickets
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Scoliosis
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When to Contact a Medical Professional
Contact your health care provider if you or your child has any of the following:
- Chest pain
- Trouble breathing
- Feel depressed or angry about the condition
- Feel tired, even when not being active
What to Expect at Your Office Visit
Your provider will perform a physical examination . An infant with pectus excavatum may have other symptoms and signs that, when taken together, define a specific condition known as a syndrome.
Physical examination
During a physical examination, a health care provider studies your body to determine if you do or do not have a physical problem. A physical examinat...
The provider will also ask about medical history, such as:
- When was the problem first noticed?
- Is it getting better, worse, or staying the same?
- Do other family members have an unusual-shaped chest?
- What other symptoms are there?
Tests may be done to rule out suspected disorders. These tests may include:
- Chromosome studies
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Enzyme
assays
Enzyme
Enzymes are complex proteins that cause a specific chemical change in all parts of the body. For example, they can help break down the foods we eat ...
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- X-rays
- CT scan
Tests may also be done to find out how severely the lungs and heart are affected.
This condition can be surgically repaired . Surgery is generally advised if there are other health problems, such as trouble breathing. Surgery may also be done to improve the appearance of the chest. Talk to your provider about treatment options.
Surgically repaired
Pectus excavatum repair is surgery to correct pectus excavatum. This is a congenital (present at birth) deformity of the front of the chest wall tha...
References
Boas SR. Skeletal diseases influencing pulmonary function. In: Kliegman RM, Stanton BF, St. Geme, Schor NF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics . 20th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 417.
Cobben JM, Oostra RJ, van Dijk FS. Pectus excavatum and carinatum. Eur J Med Genet . 2014;57:414-417. PMID: 24821303 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24821303 .
Lumpkins KM, Colombani P, Abdullah F. Repair of pectus excavatum. In: Cameron JL, Cameron AM, eds. Current Surgical Therapy . 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2014:772-775.
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Pectus excavatum - illustration
Pectus excavatum is a condition in which the "breast bone" (sternum) appears sunken and the chest concave. It is sometimes called "funnel chest". The majority of these cases are not associated with any other condition (isolated findings). However, some genetic conditions include pectus excavatum.
Pectus excavatum
illustration
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Ribcage - illustration
The ribs connect on the front of the chest with the long flat sternum, or breast bone, and on the back with the vertebral column, creating a cage of protection for the lungs and heart.
Ribcage
illustration
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Pectus excavatum repair - series
Presentation
-
Pectus excavatum - illustration
Pectus excavatum is a condition in which the "breast bone" (sternum) appears sunken and the chest concave. It is sometimes called "funnel chest". The majority of these cases are not associated with any other condition (isolated findings). However, some genetic conditions include pectus excavatum.
Pectus excavatum
illustration
-
Ribcage - illustration
The ribs connect on the front of the chest with the long flat sternum, or breast bone, and on the back with the vertebral column, creating a cage of protection for the lungs and heart.
Ribcage
illustration
-
Pectus excavatum repair - series
Presentation
Review Date: 7/26/2015
Reviewed By: Dale Mueller, MD, Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeon, HeartCare Midwest; Chairman Department of Cardiovascular Medicine and Surgery, OSF St. Francis Medical Center; and Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery, University of Illinois. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
