Abstract
Pectus excavatum is the most common chest wall skeletal deformity. Although commonly evaluated in adolescence, its prevalence in adults is unknown. Radiographic indices of chest wall shape were analyzed for participants of the first (n = 2687) and second (n = 1780) phases of the population-based Dallas Heart Study and compared to clinical cases of pectus (n = 297). Thoracic computed tomography imaging studies were examined to calculate the Haller index, a measure of thoracic axial shape, and the Correction index, which quantitates the posterior displacement of the sternum relative to the ribs. At the level of the superior xiphoid, 0.5%, 5% and 0.4% of adult Dallas Heart Study subjects have evidence of pectus excavatum using thresholds of Haller index >3.25, Correction index >10%, or both, respectively. Radiographic measures of pectus are more common in females than males and there is a greater prevalence of pectus in women than men. In the general population, the Haller and Correction indices are associated with height and weight, independent of age, gender, and ethnicity. Repeat imaging of a subset of subjects (n = 992) demonstrated decreases in the mean Haller and Correction indices over seven years, suggesting change to a more circular axial thorax, with less sternal depression, over time. To our knowledge, this is the first study estimating the prevalence of pectus in an unselected adult population. Despite the higher reported prevalence of pectus cases in adolescent boys, this study demonstrates a higher prevalence of radiographic indices of pectus in adult females.
Highlights
Pectus excavatum, or “funnel chest,” results from the posterior displacement of the sternum and adjoining ribs into the thoracic cavity
This is the first study estimating the prevalence of pectus in an unselected adult population
Despite the higher reported prevalence of pectus cases in adolescent boys, this study demonstrates a higher prevalence of radiographic indices of pectus in adult females
Summary
“funnel chest,” results from the posterior displacement of the sternum and adjoining ribs into the thoracic cavity. It is the most common anterior chest wall deformity, which has been estimated to have an occurrence of 1 in 40 to 1 in 400 individuals across different cohorts[1,2,3,4,5]. “pigeon chest,” is the second most common chest wall deformity and is characterized by the anterior protrusion of the sternum and the adjoining ribs. Pectus carinatum can be corrected by surgery or the application of a compressive chest brace[11]. Commonly evaluated in adolescence, its prevalence in adults is unknown
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