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Pectus excavatum and chest pain: a case report
1University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Cardiovascular and Thoracic Institute, 1520 San Pablo Street, suite 4300, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA. cbaker@surgery.usc.edu.
Cases Journal
|November 27, 2008
Summary
This case study highlights a severe pectus deformity with an ascending aortic aneurysm. The patient underwent aneurysm repair, deferring pectus correction for a potentially elective, simultaneous approach.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Thoracic Surgery
- Aortic Aneurysm Repair
Background:
- Simultaneous repair of pectus deformities and open heart surgery has been previously documented.
- Severe chest deformities can coexist with serious cardiac conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a case of a young male with a severe pectus deformity and an ascending aortic aneurysm.
- To discuss the surgical management strategy for this complex presentation.
Main Methods:
- A 23-year-old male with severe pectus deformity presented with chest pain.
- Diagnostic workup revealed a 10 cm ascending aortic aneurysm and severe aortic insufficiency.
- The surgical decision was to repair the aneurysm and close the sternotomy, leaving the pectus deformity unaddressed at this time.
Main Results:
- Ascending aortic aneurysm and severe aortic insufficiency were identified in a patient with pectus deformity.
- Aneurysm repair was successfully performed.
- The pectus deformity was not addressed during the initial cardiac surgery.
Conclusions:
- Simultaneous repair of pectus deformities and cardiac procedures may be considered in elective scenarios.
- This case illustrates a staged approach to managing combined thoracic and cardiac pathology.
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