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Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Vol. 39 No. 4, 2025.

Review article

https://doi.org/10.21751/FRM-39-4-1

CHEST WALL DEFORMITIES IN CHILDREN

Anamarija Jukić orcid id orcid.org/0009-0000-1560-7647
Valentina Matijević orcid id orcid.org/0000-0003-0096-2034
Jelena Marunica Karšaj orcid id orcid.org/0009-0007-7964-7673 *
Velimir Šušak

* Corresponding author.

Full text: croatian pdf 149 Kb

page 451-472

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Abstract

The chest wall consists of multiple independent bony parts and several muscles that provide its stabilization and movement. Chest wall deformities are often called thoracic dysplasias or dystrophies. Many of them are congenital,
although they can also arise after a disease or injury. Many congenital dysplasias are considered to be linked to specific genes and inheritance patterns, while others are assumed as the result of an accidental exposure. Congenital deformities may manifest as an isolated feature (primary), in conjunction with other congenital anomalies and within a genetic syndrome. More than 90% of congenital chest wall deformities are the result of excessive chest growth, leading to a depression of the sternum (funnel chest) or its protrusion (pigeon chest). They are usually diagnosed when the child starts school, but most often begin to exhibit clinical symptoms during transition into adolescence. In symptomatic cases, they most often cause cardiological and respiratory problems, but they also significantly affect the psychosocial state of the child. They are diagnosed by taking a detailed anamnesis, physical examination, radiological imaging methods (X-ray, CT), and assessing the Haller index for pigeon and funnel chest. Treatment includes conservative and surgical methods and genetic counseling. Surgery rarely results in significant improvement in chest wall growth and lung function, but it might delay or prevent the deterioration of deformities. Correction of the deformity has a positive psychosocial impact on the child, and numerous studies have shown satisfaction and better quality of life.

Keywords

chest wall deformities, children, syndromes, psychosocial impact

Hrčak ID:

342686

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/342686

Publication date:

21.12.2025.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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