Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 11, 2026
09:17
Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasound in Adults: Image Acquisition
Published on: March 3, 2023
Pectus carinatum.
Thomas J Desmarais1, Martin S Keller
1Division of Pediatric Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine in Saint Louis, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA.
Current Opinion in Pediatrics
|May 10, 2013
Summary
Pectus carinatum, an undertreated chest wall deformity, negatively impacts children's quality of life. Nonoperative bracing offers an effective treatment, improving psychosocial outcomes and body image for affected children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Orthopedics
- Thoracic Surgery
- Developmental Pediatrics
Background:
- Pectus carinatum is a chest wall deformity often undertreated.
- It significantly affects children's body image and quality of life.
- Historically, surgical reconstruction was the primary treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current literature on pectus carinatum evaluation and management.
- To highlight recent advances in nonoperative treatment protocols.
- To describe the assessment and care of pediatric patients with this condition.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent evidence on pectus carinatum.
- Analysis of nonoperative bracing protocols.
- Description of patient evaluation and management strategies.
Main Results:
- Children with pectus carinatum experience disturbed body image and reduced quality of life.
- Treatment, including nonoperative bracing, improves psychosocial outcomes.
- Nonoperative bracing is a viable alternative to surgery for select patients.
Conclusions:
- Pectus carinatum poses risks to psychosocial well-being.
- Nonoperative orthotic bracing is increasingly supported as an effective treatment.
- Comprehensive evaluation and management are crucial for affected children.
Related Concept Videos
01:18Veins of the Abdomen and Pelvis
The human body is a complex system of interconnected parts, and the circulatory system plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health. One key component of this system is the inferior vena cava, a large vein responsible for returning blood from the abdominopelvic viscera and abdominal walls to the heart.
The inferior vena cava is fed by numerous smaller veins. The lumbar veins, for instance, drain the posterior abdominal wall, emptying both directly into the inferior vena cava and into the...
The inferior vena cava is fed by numerous smaller veins. The lumbar veins, for instance, drain the posterior abdominal wall, emptying both directly into the inferior vena cava and into the...
01:13Pleura of the Lungs
The lungs are nestled in a cavity, shielded by the pleura. The pleura, a form of serous membrane, wraps around each lung. This membrane arrangement consists of two layers: the visceral and parietal pleurae. The visceral pleura lines the surface of the lungIn contrast, the parietal pleura is the outer layer and contacts to the thoracic wall, the mediastinum, and the diaphragm. The hilum is the point of connection between the visceral and parietal layers. The space between the parietal and...
01:20The Thoracic Cage: Ribs
Ribs are curved, flattened bones forming the thoracic cavity wall with the thoracic muscles. There are 12 pairs of thoracic ribs. The posterior ends of all the ribs articulate with the T1–T12 thoracic vertebrae. In contrast,the anterior ends of most ribs attach to the sternum via their costal cartilages.
Parts of a Typical Rib
A typical rib has a head, neck, and body. The posterior end of the rib is called the head, followed by a narrow neck. The head articulates primarily with the costal facet...
Parts of a Typical Rib
A typical rib has a head, neck, and body. The posterior end of the rib is called the head, followed by a narrow neck. The head articulates primarily with the costal facet...
01:16Vertebral Column: Regions and Curvature
The vertebral column or spine is a flexible column that supports the head, neck, and body and allows for their movements. It also protects the spinal cord.
Regions of the Vertebral Column
In an adult, the spine is subdivided into five regions: the cervical, the thoracic, the lumbar, the sacral, and the coccygeal region. The spine initially develops as a series of 33 vertebrae; after 20 years of age, the nine bones in the sacral region, five sacral, and four coccygeal bones fuse to form the...
Regions of the Vertebral Column
In an adult, the spine is subdivided into five regions: the cervical, the thoracic, the lumbar, the sacral, and the coccygeal region. The spine initially develops as a series of 33 vertebrae; after 20 years of age, the nine bones in the sacral region, five sacral, and four coccygeal bones fuse to form the...
01:20Venous Thrombosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
The key difference between Superficial Vein Thrombosis (SVT) and Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) lies in their location and severity.Clinical ManifestationsSVT typically presents with localized pain, tenderness, and redness along the course of a superficial vein, often accompanied by a palpable, cord-like structure under the skin. This condition is usually less dangerous than DVT but can be uncomfortable and may lead to complications such as cellulitis or, rarely, a clot extension into the deep...
01:14Cranial Bones: Superior and Posterior View
The superior view of the cranium shows the frontal and paired parietal bones.
The frontal bone is the single bone that forms the forehead. At its anterior midline, between the eyebrows, there is a slight depression called the glabella. The frontal bone also forms the supraorbital margin of the orbit. Near the middle of this margin is the supraorbital foramen, the opening that provides passage for a sensory nerve to the forehead. The frontal bone is thickened just above each supraorbital margin,...
The frontal bone is the single bone that forms the forehead. At its anterior midline, between the eyebrows, there is a slight depression called the glabella. The frontal bone also forms the supraorbital margin of the orbit. Near the middle of this margin is the supraorbital foramen, the opening that provides passage for a sensory nerve to the forehead. The frontal bone is thickened just above each supraorbital margin,...