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Pectus deformities in children: a pictorial review
Timothy P Brown1, Carolina V Guimaraes2, Lane F Donnelly2
1School of Medicine, Department of Radiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States.
Pediatric Radiology
|July 18, 2026
Summary
Pediatric chest wall deformities like pectus excavatum can cause significant health issues. This essay details imaging for diagnosis, surgical planning, and postoperative care in children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Radiology
- Thoracic Imaging
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Pediatric chest wall deformities, including pectus excavatum (PE), pectus carinatum (PC), and pectus arcuatum (PA), are common congenital conditions.
- These deformities can lead to significant psychosocial distress and cardiorespiratory morbidity in children.
- Accurate imaging is crucial for diagnosis and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive overview of imaging findings in pediatric chest wall deformities.
- To highlight key imaging characteristics and indices essential for surgical planning.
- To review common postoperative imaging findings and potential complications.
Main Methods:
- This is a pictorial essay, emphasizing visual representation of imaging findings.
- Review of characteristic imaging features across different types of pectus deformities.
- Discussion of quantitative indices used in surgical planning.
Main Results:
- Detailed illustration of the imaging appearance of pectus excavatum, carinatum, and arcuatum.
- Presentation of key measurements and indices (e.g., Haller index) for surgical assessment.
- Examples of common postoperative changes and complications.
Conclusions:
- Radiologists play a vital role in the comprehensive evaluation of pediatric chest wall deformities.
- Standardized imaging protocols and measurements aid in surgical planning and patient management.
- Postoperative imaging is essential for monitoring recovery and identifying complications.
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