Lung density analysis using quantitative computed tomography in children with pectus excavatum.

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Radiology
• Thoracic Imaging
• Pulmonary Medicine

Background:

• Pectus excavatum (PE) is a congenital chest wall deformity impacting lung development.
• Quantitative computed tomography (CT) is used to assess lung density and aeration.
• Understanding lung density in PE is crucial for evaluating respiratory function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate mean lung density in children with pectus excavatum (PE).
• To assess correlations between cardiac rotation angle, Haller index, pulmonary function tests, and lung density in PE patients.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 33 children with PE and 31 healthy controls.
• Quantitative CT to measure lung parenchyma densities at defined thoracic levels.
• Calculation of cardiac rotation angle and Haller index; statistical analysis using t-tests, Mann-Whitney U, and correlation coefficients.

Main Results:

• Children with PE exhibited lower mean lung densities compared to controls, significantly in the right lung at the T10 vertebra level.
• A significant correlation was found between cardiac rotation angle and Haller index (r = 0.593, p < 0.001).
• No significant correlations were observed between mean lung density and cardiac rotation angle, Haller index, or pulmonary function tests.

Conclusions:

• Pectus excavatum is associated with reduced mean lung densities, most notably in the right lower lobe.
• Parenchymal aeration in PE should be considered independently of the deformity's severity.