Is pectus excavatum serious?
If pectus excavatum is not severe, you might only notice a small indentation in the chest. However, if it is more severe, the area around the sternum can look like it has been dented in several inches. Very severe cases of pectus excavatum can compress the lungs and heart, causing serious health risks.
What is considered bad pectus excavatum?
A Haller index between 2 and 3.2 is considered a mild deformity; between 3.2 and 3.5, moderate.; 3.5 or greater, a severe deformity (source). If you have appearance concerns caused by pectus excavatum and are self-conscious about your symptoms, you may want to consider implant surgery.
What percentage of men have pectus excavatum?
Pectus excavatum occurs in an estimated 1 in 300-400 births, with male predominance (male-to-female ratio of 3:1). The condition is typically noticed at birth, and more than 90% of cases are diagnosed within the first year of life.
Can pectus excavatum fix itself?
Pectus excavatum can be surgically repaired, but surgery is usually reserved for people who have moderate to severe signs and symptoms. People who have mild signs and symptoms may be helped by physical therapy. Certain exercises can improve posture and increase the degree to which the chest can expand.
At what age does pectus excavatum occur?
Pectus excavatum may not be noticeable at birth. By the age of two or three years, however, it is apparent. It can get worse during childhood and puberty.
Can you fix pectus excavatum without surgery?
Mild to moderate pectus excavatum may be improved by a focused exercise regimen and/or a vacuum bell approach. The vacuum bell is a non-surgical treatment option for patients with mild or moderate pectus excavatum. While this procedure is non-surgical, it should be used under the supervision of our care team.
What does pectus excavatum do to your chest?
With pectus excavatum, the sternum goes inward to form a depression in the chest. This gives the chest a concave (caved-in) appearance, which is why the condition is also called funnel chest or sunken chest. Sometimes, the lower ribs might flare out.
What kind of posture does pectus excavatum cause?
Children who have pectus excavatum also tend to have a hunched-forward posture, with flared ribs and shoulder blades. Many are so self-conscious about their appearance that they avoid activities, such as swimming, where the indentation in their chests is more difficult to camouflage with clothing.
How often does pectus excavatum occur in males?
It is the most common chest wall deformity, accounting for approximately 90% of cases, occurs in up to 1 in 300-1000 births and is more frequently seen in males (M:F = 3:1) 1,4. The opposite deformity is known as pectus carinatum (pigeon chest).
What is the depression index for pectus excavatum?
Significant pectus excavatum has an index greater than 3.25, representing the standard for determining candidacy for repair. The depression index is computed by identifying the point of maximal depression of the sternum on the CT scan and then drawing a line across the most anterior ribs.