Non-surgical treatment with the brace represents one of the most common and effective techniques to treat pectus carinatum. CT scan of the chest with 3D reconstruction.In addition, further investigation can be performed to rule out other clinical conditions and to decide the optimal treatment plan: other musculoskeletal abnormalities and connective tissue disorders such as Marfan syndromeĪ complete medical history and a careful clinical examination by an experienced doctor are necessary to assess the pectus excavatum chest wall deformity.Pectus Carinatum can also be associated with certain medical conditions such as: anterior chest wall pain and discomfort.shortness of breath, especially during exercise.Symptoms of pectus carinatumĪlthough patients with pectus carinatum can be asymptomatic, others present with symptoms including: In selected patients with suspicion of a genetic disorder further medical investigations may be indicated to rule out other significant conditions. Pectus carinatum occurs more frequently in people who have specific genetic conditions like Marfan syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Noonan syndrome, other metabolic disorders and chromosomal abnormalities.
It is well established that the condition can run in families and genetics may be a risk factor. The exact cause of pectus carinatum is not known. Cause and risk factors of pectus carinatum This results in the outward appearance of the chest wall. In pectus carinatum, the cartilages grow abnormally, causing unequal growth in the areas where the ribs connect to the sternum. It affects around 1 in every 1500 children, occurs more often in boys and typically becomes more pronounced during early adolescence.
Pectus carinatum, also called “pigeon chest”, is a rare chest wall deformity characterized by protrusion of the sternum and the ribs.