Chest wall deformities

Abstract Chest wall deformities are classified according to their appearance: depression (pectus excavatum); protrusion (pectus carinatum); or dysplastic where normal development of bone, cartilage, and muscle has been affected. Chest wall deformities can be acquired following cardiac surgery and repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Pectus excavatum is the most common (80%); it is usually symmetrical and predominantly affects males. It may be seen in Marfan syndrome and Ehlers–Danlos syndrome. Most have little evidence of physiological disturbance, although severe cases may have a restrictive pattern of breathing and evidence of right ventricular compression. Minor deformity needs no treatment. More severe deformity may affect self-esteem and social confidence, and is the reason for treatment.