Chest Wall Abnormalities

MANUAL OF CLINICAL DIAGNOSIS

Chest wall abnormalities are structural deformities that affect the shape and function of the thorax. These conditions can be either congenital or acquired and may significantly impact respiratory function, cardiovascular health, and body aesthetics.

Chest wall deformities include a range of presentations, from protrusions and depressions of the sternum to abnormal spinal curvatures and bone defects. Identifying and managing these abnormalities are crucial for improving the patient’s quality of life and preventing further complications.

Pathology	Clinical Symptoms and Signs	Suspected Diagnosis	Confirmatory Diagnosis
Pectus Carinatum	Protrusion of the sternum, respiratory difficulty, occasional chest pain	Physical examination, observation of the protrusion	Chest X-ray, computed tomography (CT)
Pectus Excavatum	Depression of the sternum, respiratory difficulty, palpitations, fatigue	Physical examination, observation of the depression	Chest X-ray, CT scan, echocardiogram
Kyphosis	Abnormal curvature of the spine, back pain, hunched posture	Physical examination, observation of the curvature	Spinal X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Scoliosis	Lateral curvature of the spine, shoulder asymmetry, back pain	Physical examination, observation of the asymmetry	Spinal X-ray, MRI
Absence of Part of the Bone Structure	Visible defect in the thoracic structure, pain, recurrent infections	Physical examination, clinical history	Chest X-ray, CT scan, MRI