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Home > Medical Reference > Encyclopedia (English)

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Pectus excavatum - Treatment

Alternative Names

Funnel chest

Call your health care provider if:

Contact your health care provider if:

  • You develop chest pain
  • You develop trouble breathing
  • You feel depressed or angry about your condition
  • You notice decreased exercise tolerance
  • You notice redness, swelling, or discharge from the area

What to expect at your health care provider's office:

Your health care provider perform a physical examination. An infant with pectus excavatum may have other symptoms and signs that, when taken together, define a specific syndrome or condition.

The health care provider will also ask questions about you or your child's medical history, such as:

  • When did you first notice this?
  • Is it getting better, worse, or staying the same?
  • Have any other family members had an unusual-shaped chest?
  • What other symptoms are there?

Tests may be done to rule out suspected disorders. These tests may include:

Pulmonary or cardiac function tests may be done to determine how severely the lungs and heart are affected.

This condition can be surgically repaired. Surgery is generally advised if you have other problems, such as trouble exercising. In addition, some people undergo surgery for cosmetic reasons. Your health care provider can help you make decisions about your therapy.

  • Reviewed last on: 11/15/2009
  • David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Tzelepis GE, McCool FD. The Lungs and Chest Wall Disease. In: Mason RJ, Murray JF, Broaddus VC, Nadel JA. Murray & Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa; 2005:chap 83.

Sugarbaker DJ, Lukanich JM. Chest Wall and Pleura. In: Townsend Jr. CM, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL. Townsend: Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2008:chap 57.

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