Clinical and radiographic poland syndrome classification: a proposal

Many chest wall deformities have a characteristic radiologic appearance that can be the basis for a definitive diagnosis. Consequently, imaging techniques have fundamental roles in the detection, location, and characterization of these disorders.

The authors propose a clinical and radiographic Poland syndrome (CRPS) classification system and possible treatment algorithm for the thoracic manifestations of Poland syndrome (PS) in women, based on both clinical examinations and imaging studies.

A retrospective study was conducted of 28 female patients evaluated over 17 years in the 28th Infirmary, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Division of the Hospital Santa Casa da Misericórdia do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. After clinical examination, all patients underwent radiographic examination with chest radiographs, conventional computed tomography scans, magnetic resonance imaging and, in some cases, additional imaging studies. All clinical and radiologic variables were compiled in a database and used in the classification system, which included three levels of disease severity.

Based on the CRPS classification of the 28 female patients, 10 patients had first-degree PS, 14 patients had second-degree PS, and four patients had third-degree PS. Eighteen patients underwent surgical correction; a total of 39 surgical procedures were performed using the CRPS algorithm.

Identification of the severity of PS using the proposed classification system provided an accurate study of each patient and enabled better planning for the surgical correction of functional and aesthetic deformities.