Abstract
Pectus Excavatum (PE) is a developmental defect characterized by various forms of sunken sternum and cartilaginous ribs. This pathology has a negative effect on the function of the cardiovascular system. Echocardiographic examination (ECHOCG) is of great importance in choosing indications for surgical treatment of PE. Unlike computed tomography (CT), ECHOCG does not carry a radiation load and allows diagnosing direct changes in the anatomy of the heart cavities and intracardiac flows.
The aim of the study was to identify signs of compression effects on the heart from the sternocostal complex in patients with PE using CT and echocardiography.
Materials and methods. The study included 25 patients aged 2 to 18 years. The Haller index (HI) in the examined patients ranged from 2.2 to 11.7. The angle of rotation of the sternum from 0 to 19 degrees. The index of asymmetry of the chest (IACH) was 80–99%. CT and ECHOCG were performed 10–14 days before the planned chest surgery.
Results. A relationship was established between the increase in the HI according to CT data and the severity of ECHOCG criteria of cardiac compression. The highest values of the IACH were noted in the group of patients with minor ECHOCG signs of compression. No convincing data on the relationship between changes in the sternum rotation angle, according to CT data, and ECHOCG signs of compression were found.
Conclusion. An increase in the HI from 3.6 to 11.7 in children with CP positively correlates with ECHOCG indicators of compression effect on the cardiac structures from the sternocostal complex. The results of CT examination of patients allow us to determine the degree of CP, as well as suspect the presence of cardiac compression, however, more informative data on compression can be obtained with routine transthoracic ECHOCG.