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Pectus Excavatum
Synonyms
Funnel chest; Trichterbrust; Thorax en entonnoir
Definition and Characteristics
| Pectus Excavatum. Figure 1 A 15-year-old boy with pectus excavatum. |
The deformity may be mild, moderate or severe. Funnel chest is most commonly noted in infancy and usually progresses slowly as the child grows. Rapid progression of the deformity may occur during puberty. Most patients are tall and have an aesthetic habitus [2]. Deep inspiration commonly accentuates the severity of the deformity [2]. Funnel chest is often an isolated malformation but can be a component manifestation in various genetic syndromes (e.g. Marfan syndrome, Noonan syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Pierre Robin syndrome, Poland syndrome, Aarskog syndrome). Individuals with pectus excavatum may have reduced exercise tolerance and diminished