Mechanical factors play an important role in pectus excavatum with thoracic scoliosis

Correlation of anterior chest wall anomalies and spinal deformities: a comprehensive descriptive study

PURPOSE

To investigate the association and evaluate the characteristics between different types of anterior chest wall and spinal deformities.

METHODS

A total of 548 patients with anterior chest wall deformities were included in this study. Clinical and radiological examinations were performed to determine spinal deformities. The type and severity of the spinal deformities were evaluated and their relationships with chest wall deformity subtypes were statistically analyzed.

RESULTS

Spinal deformities were identified in 93 (16.97%) patients. The patients were subdivided into 71 (76.3%) male and 22 (23.7%) female patients. A spinal deformity was detected in 57 (13%) of 418 pectus excavatum (PE) patients, in 23 (19%) of 117 pectus carinatum (PC) patients, and in all patients with mixed pectus deformity (PE + PC), syndromic deformity and rib anomalies. In the PE group, scoliosis, and kyphosis were observed at 57.9 and 31.6%, respectively. In the PC group, these rates were 43.5 and 47.8%, respectively. Idiopathic scoliosis was observed in 42 (77.7%) and constituted the most common scoliosis subgroup. The main thoracic curvature was the most common curve pattern, which was observed in 15 (35.7%) patients with idiopathic scoliosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Idiopathic scoliosis with main thoracic curvature is the most common deformity in patients with anterior chest wall deformity. Spinal deformities are more common in male patients with chest deformities. Kyphosis is found in a significant number of PE and PC patients. Patients with mixed PE and PC, rib anomalies, and syndromic disease are more likely to have spinal deformities.

Identification of an increased lifetime risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in UK Biobank participants with scoliosis

BACKGROUND

Structural changes caused by spinal curvature may impact the organs within the thoracic cage, including the heart. Cardiac abnormalities in patients with idiopathic scoliosis are often studied post-corrective surgery or secondary to diseases. To investigate cardiac structure, function and outcomes in participants with scoliosis, phenotype and imaging data of the UK Biobank (UKB) adult population cohort were analysed.

METHODS

Hospital episode statistics of 502 324 adults were analysed to identify participants with scoliosis. Summary 2D cardiac phenotypes from 39 559 cardiac MRI (CMR) scans were analysed alongside a 3D surface-to-surface (S2S) analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 4095 (0.8%, 1 in 120) UKB participants were identified to have all-cause scoliosis. These participants had an increased lifetime risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) (HR=1.45, p<0.001), driven by heart failure (HR=1.58, p<0.001) and atrial fibrillation (HR=1.54, p<0.001). Increased radial and decreased longitudinal peak diastolic strain rates were identified in participants with scoliosis (+0.29, Padj <0.05; -0.25, Padj <0.05; respectively). Cardiac compression of the top and bottom of the heart and decompression of the sides was observed through S2S analysis. Additionally, associations between scoliosis and older age, female sex, heart failure, valve disease, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension and decreased enrolment for CMR were identified.

CONCLUSION

The spinal curvature observed in participants with scoliosis alters the movement of the heart. The association with increased MACE may have clinical implications for whether to undertake surgical correction. This work identifies, in an adult population, evidence for altered cardiac function and an increased lifetime risk of MACE in participants with scoliosis.

Clinical significance of concomitant pectus deformity and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: systematic review with best evidence synthesis

BACKGROUND

A misbalance in forces is proposed for causing adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). AIS is therefore correlated to adjacent musculoskeletal pathologies. Its concomitance with idiopathic pectus deformities (PD) is underexposed. This systematic review analyzes the clinical significance and predictive factors of PD-associated AIS.

METHODS

A search was performed in PubMed, UpToDate, Embase, and Cochrane. A study was included if it: assessed the association between PD and scoliosis (category I), reported a prevalence of scoliosis in PD patients (category II), or addressed other topics about PD-associated AIS (category III). Studies in category I discussing predictive factors were appraised using the Quality in Prognosis Studies tool. Because of heterogeneity among the studies, predictive factors were analyzed according to a best evidence synthesis. A mean prevalence of scoliosis in PD patients was calculated using category I and II. Category III was narratively reviewed.

RESULTS

Forty-eight studies were included (I:19, II:21, III:8). Category I comprised 512 patients with PD-concomitant scoliosis. Thirteen studies reported predictive factors, of which 15 concerned the prevalence of scoliosis in PD patients and 12 Cobb Angle (CA) change after PD correction. Compared with AIS, PD seems to develop earlier in adolescence, and PD with concomitant AIS was more frequently reported in older patients. Evidence remained conflicting regarding the association between the severity of PD and that of scoliosis. As opposed to at a younger age, late PD correction is not associated with a postoperative increase of CA. Limited evidence showed that patients with a high CA undergoing PD correction do not experience an increase in CA, though, strong evidence indicated that it would not lead to a decrease in CA. The mean probable prevalence of AIS in PD patients was 13.1%.

CONCLUSION

Current literature confirms the association between PD and AIS in patients with an indication for PD correction.Level of evidence: III.

Pectus excavatum, kyphoscoliosis associated with thoracolumbar spinal stenosis: a rare case report and literature review

Background

Pectus excavatum is the most common congenital chest wall defect. Thoracolumbar spinal stenosis and kyphoscoliosis was seen in patients with pectus excavatum. It can be caused by ossification of the ligamentum flavum, which is rare in patients with pectus excavatum.

Case presentation

We reported a 26-year-old woman presented bilateral lower extremities weakness and numbness for two months, progressive worsening. She was diagnosed as thoracolumbar spinal stenosis with ossification of the ligamentum flavum, thoracolumbar kyphoscoliosis associated with pectus excavatum. The posterior instrumentation, decompression with laminectomy, and de-kyposis procedure with multilevel ponte osteotomy were performed. Her postoperative course was uneventful and followed up regularly. Good neurologic symptoms improvement and spinal alignment were achieved.

Conclusions

Pectus excavatum, kyphoscoliosis associated with thoracolumbar spinal stenosis is rare, and thus her treatment options are very challengeable. Extensive laminectomy decompression and de-kyphosis procedures can achieve good improvement of neurologic impingement and spinal alignment.

[Correction of pectus excavatum and long-term outcome in adult]

Pectus excavatum is the most common congenital chest malformation characterized by symmetrical or asymmetric depression of the chest with deformation of the sternocostal complex. Pectus excavatum is often associated with other dysplastic diseases of connective tissue. Ravitch thoracoplasty and Nuss minimally invasive correction are the most common today. The authors report surgical correction of PE in a 50-years-old male who underwent Ravitch modified thoracoplasty with implantation of shape memory plate. Long-term treatment outcomes and technical properties of the plate after removing are analyzed.

Pectus excavatum and scoliosis: a review about the patient's surgical management

Although Nuss procedure is performed with satisfactory results, there has been a controversy in the literature regarding the effect of a Nuss procedure on the spine. This review article aims to perform an updated overview of the literature about the effect of pectus excavatum correction at the spine and the management of patients with both pectus excavatum and scoliosis. Although acquired scoliosis has been rarely reported after a Nuss procedure, studies show that the Nuss procedure can have a beneficial effect in mild coexisting scoliosis especially when it is performed during the adolescence. The management of cases presented with both pectus excavatum and scoliosis depends on the severity of pre-operative scoliosis and demands detailed evaluation of the spine pre and postoperatively. In the rare condition of post-operative scoliosis following a Nuss procedure, the removal of the metallic bar and conservative measures may have satisfactory results on the spine.

Scoliosis Progression After the Nuss Procedure for Pectus Excavatum: A Case Report

INTRODUCTION

Pectus excavatum and scoliosis are associated conditions with a high rate of coincidence. However, there are no reports to guide surgeons on the management of adolescents with moderate scoliosis and pectus excavatum, because there are conflicting conclusions in the literature regarding how the Nuss procedure with substernal bar affects scoliosis.

CASES

In 2017, we encountered two patients with moderate scoliosis treated with a spinal orthosis. After undergoing the Nuss procedure for pectus excavatum, their scoliosis acutely progressed into surgical magnitude requiring posterior instrumented spinal fusion. The first patient progressed 26° despite the pre-Nuss radiographs showing him to be Risser 4/5, while the second patient also progressed 26° from the Nuss procedure. Both patients acknowledged noncompliance with brace wear because of discomfort after the Nuss procedure. However, their progression rate still doubles the rate of reported rapid accelerators, indicating that a significant component of curve progression is directly attributed to forces on the spine from the corrective maneuver with substernal bar.

CONCLUSION

The purpose of this case report is to describe the features of these two patients to help with clinical decision-making in patients with moderate scoliosis (curves >25°) who are contemplating the Nuss procedure for correction of pectus excavatum. We caution patients and providers that spinal deformity could worsen with surgical intervention of the pectus excavatum via the Nuss procedure and necessitate scoliosis surgery.

Acquired scoliosis following Nuss procedure for pectus excavatum: A case report

RATIONALE

Nuss procedure is a safe and popular minimally invasive surgical technique for the correction of pectus excavatum in adolescents. Acquired scoliosis over 50 degrees after Nuss procedure has never been reported.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 14-year-old boy was referred to pediatric surgery for pectus excavatum deformity. He underwent a successful Nuss procedure. At follow up, the patient was noted having an asymmetric back whole spine X-ray showed a right-sided thoracic curve with a Cobb angle of 54 degrees.

INTERVENTIONS AND OUTCOMES

We obtained a satisfactory result by removing the pectus bar and prescribing the patient a brace.

LESSONS

This report demonstrates that the spine should be evaluated routinely before and after Nuss procedure. Besides, spinal fusion is not recommended for acquired scoliosis following pectus excavatum surgery.

Clinical Characteristics and Thoracic factors in patients with Idiopathic and Syndromic Scoliosis Associated with Pectus Excavatum

Introduction

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the clinical characteristics and thoracic factors such as sternal tilt angle and Haller index in patients with idiopathic or syndromic scoliosis associated with pectus excavatum.

Methods

We performed a retrospective review on a cohort of 70 patients (37 males and 33 females) diagnosed with idiopathic and syndromic scoliosis associated with pectus excavatum between 1985 and 2014. We investigated age, location and Cobb angle of the main curve, and thoracic factors including sternal deviation and tilting angle and Haller index using radiographs and computed tomography of the chest.

Results

Patients' mean age at the first visit to our hospital was 10.3 years (1-18 years old). There were 41 patients with idiopathic scoliosis and 29 with syndromic scoliosis. Main curve locations were thoracic in 52 patients, thoracolumbar in 10, and lumbar in 8. The mean Cobb angle of the main curve was 45.0 degrees (11-109 degrees). The sternum was displaced on the left side in 72% of patients, central in 23%, and right in 5%. Mean sternal tilt angle was 12.4 degrees (2.3-34 degrees), and mean Haller index score was 4.9 (2.9-9.2). There was no significant correlation between Cobb angle and sternal tilt angle/Haller index. However, a significant difference was found between sternal tilt angle and Haller index.

Conclusion

Most patients with both scoliosis and pectus excavatum have left side deviated sternum and a higher Haller index score; therefore this can negatively impact cardiac function. Prone positioning and the corrective force applied during scoliosis surgery as well as thoracic compression during cast or brace treatment may have a negative effect on cardiac function in these patients.

Effects of Nuss procedure on thoracic scoliosis in patients with pectus excavatum

Background

The objectives of this study are to investigate the association between pectus excavatum (PE) and thoracic scoliosis (TS) and to analyze the effects of the Nuss procedure on the thoracic spinal curvature in patients with PE.

Methods

A total of 468 patients who underwent the Nuss procedure and pectus bar removal for PE from March 2011 to January 2015 were assessed and included into the present study.

Results

TS prevalence was 9.4% pre-correctively and 9.8% post-correctively. There was a positive correlation between age and Cobb angle (CA), pre-correctively and post-correctively (both, P<0.001). The late correction group (LG, age ≥10 years) had a higher CA and more frequent TS than the early correction group (EG, age <10 years) (pre-correction: CA 6.3±4.9° vs. 4.5±3.8°, P<0.001, TS P<0.001; post-correction: 7.6±7.2° vs. 4.1±3.3°, P<0.001, TS P<0.001). The post-corrective changes in CA were different according to the time of correction (decreased in EG: 4.5±3.8° vs. 4.1±3.3°, P=0.078; increased in LG: 6.3±4.9° vs. 7.6±7.2°, P=0.002). In patients with pre-corrective TS, CA after correction was decreased (post-correctively 11.9±10.0° vs. pre-correctively 13.9±6.0°, P=0.090). In addition, post-corrective CA was significantly decreased in EG (pre-correction 13.9±7.4° vs. post-correction 6.6±8.1°, P<0.001). However, post-corrective CA was increased in LG (pre-correction 13.8±4.5° vs. post-correction 16.7±9.2°, P=0.053). The number of patients with TS after correction was decreased in EG (P=0.194) and significantly increased in LG (P=0.028). There were both pre-corrective and post-corrective predictive factors for TS (Pre-corrective: age P<0.001, severity P=0.016, and BMI P=0.046; post-corrective: age at the time of correction P<0.001, weight P=0.046, and pre-corrective CA P<0.001).

Conclusions

The Nuss procedure had some significant effects on the thoracic spinal curvature, with early correction able to reduce TS in patients with PE.

Effects of Pectus Excavatum on the Spine of Pectus Excavatum Patients with Scoliosis

Background

There is high risk in the correction surgery of pectus excavatum with scoliosis because of the lack of the correction mechanism of pectus excavatum with scoliosis. This study performed a comprehensive analysis about the impact that pectus excavatum had on scoliosis and elaborated its biomechanical mechanism in pectus excavatum patients with scoliosis.

Methods

37 pectus excavatum patients were selected. According to age, Haller index of pectus excavatum, offset coefficient, vertical position, sternal torsion angle, and asymmetric index, 37 patients were, respectively, divided into 2 compared groups. The result was statistically calculated.

Results

The scoliosis incidence and severity did not correlate with Haller index, offset coefficient, vertical position, sternal torsion angle, and asymmetric index of pectus excavatum, and there was no statistical significance between the two compared groups.

Conclusions

The incidence and severity of scoliosis in PE patients with scoliosis have nothing to do with the geometric parameters of pectus excavatum but correlate with age. The scoliosis will aggravate with the increase of age. The heart may provide an asymmetric horizontal force to push the spines to the right. The mechanism of how the biomechanical factors exert influences on spines needs to be further investigated to keep the spine stable.

Evaluation of thoracic vertebrae rotation in patients with pectus excavatum

Purpose

The aim of our study was to evaluate thoracic vertebrae rotation in patients with pectus excavatum. Moreover, we wanted to assess the prevalence, the severity and relationship between pectus excavatum and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

Methods

We performed retrospective analysis of 82 preoperative chest CT in children with pectus excavatum performed between January 2008 and December 2011. For each patient Haller Index and Cobb angle was measured. To evaluate the severity of thoracic scoliosis we measured vertebral rotation for Th8 and for vertebra at the level of highest chest deformation using Aaro-Dahlborn method.

Results

From the group of 54 patients with pectus excavatum enrolled in the study AIS was diagnosed in 8 patients (14,81%). In patients with symmetric deformation, Th8 rotation was found in 21 patients; the rotation of the apical vertebra was found in 20 patients. In patients with asymmetric deformation Th8 rotation was found in 10 patients; the rotation of the apical vertebra was found in 8 patients.

Conclusions

1. We have confirmed the higher prevalence of pectus excavatum in boys; 2. We have found a significant relationship between pectus excavatum and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis; 3. We have shown that deformation of the anterior chest wall enforces rotation of the thoracic spine; 4. We haven't found the relationship between the severity of the chest deformity (HI measured) and severity of AIS (Cobb angle measured); 5. We have shown a significant association between HI measured and rotation of thoracic vertebra at the level of highest chest deformation (apical vertebra) in symmetric pectus excavatum.

Level of evidence: Level IV, Diagnostic study.

Evaluation of thoracic factors after scoliosis surgery in patients with both scoliosis and pectus excavatum

PURPOSE

Pectus excavatum can negatively impact cardiac function during scoliosis surgery. Several authors reported severe hypotension associated with the prone position during scoliosis surgery in children that had both scoliosis and pectus excavatum. However, we could find no studies that evaluated the change in the thoracic factors, such as sternal tilt angle and Haller index after scoliosis surgery in patients with both scoliosis and pectus excavatum. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the change in thoracic factors after surgical treatment for scoliosis associated with pectus excavatum.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective review on 20 patients (10 males and 10 females) who underwent surgical treatment for scoliosis associated with pectus excavatum from August 2004 to April 2014 in our hospital. We investigated the scoliosis diagnosis, preoperative and postoperative Cobb and thoracic kyphosis (TK) angles, the change in TK after surgery and thoracic factors, including the AP and transverse diameters of the chest, the sternal tilt angle, and Haller index.

RESULTS

Patient mean age was 13.2 years old (4-27 years old) at surgery. Types of scoliosis were idiopathic in 8 patients, syndromic in 10, and neuromuscular in 2. The mean Cobb angles were 72.1° preoperatively and 19.0° postoperatively. Curve locations were thoracic in 13 patients, thoracolumbar in 4, and lumbar in 3. Surgical treatment of pectus excavatum was performed in 9 patients (45 %) before scoliosis treatment. Mean sternal tilt angles were 11.5° preoperatively and 11.1° postoperatively. Mean Haller indices were 4.8 preoperatively and 5.3 postoperatively. This was especially true for syndromic or neuromuscular scoliosis and thoracolumbar/lumbar curve type patients in which scoliosis surgery tended to worsen the Haller index.

CONCLUSION

The Haller index increased postoperatively in 11 of 20 patients, which means sternal depression deteriorated after scoliosis surgery in about 50 % of patients. We suggest that surgeons fully assess the thoracic factors in patients with scoliosis and pectus excavatum prior to performing scoliosis surgery and carefully monitor their patient's general condition during surgery.

Classification of Pectus Excavatum According to Objective Parameters From Chest Computed Tomography

BACKGROUND

Previous classification systems of pectus excavatum have been based on subjective morphologic characteristics. We sought to suggest a new classification system derived from objective variables.

METHODS

Patients who underwent surgical repair of pectus excavatum without a history of previous chest operations were included. Objective morphologic variables were measured from chest computed tomography scan images, and classification was performed by hierarchical clustering of measured indexes. Clinical relevance of the suggested classification was also verified.

RESULTS

Included were 230 patients who underwent operation for pectus excavatum from January 2001 to August 2013. These patients were classified into two major groups: typical (group I; 197 [85.7%]) and atypical (group II; 33 [14.3%]). Group I was further classified into three subgroups according to flatness and symmetry of the chest wall. Group II was further classified into four subgroups according to the severity of sternal torsion and sternal angulation. Two unique types of deformity were identified in group II: the double distortion subgroup (group IIa; 8 [3.5%]) and the reverse torsion subgroup (group IIc; 16 [7.0%]). Scoliosis was more frequently associated with group IIa (p = 0.008).

CONCLUSIONS

Morphologic classification obtained from computed tomography indexes hierarchical clustering identified seven distinct subtypes of pectus excavatum.

Pectus deformities and their impact on pulmonary physiology

Pectus excavatum (PE) and pectus carinatum (PC) are the most common anomalies of the thoracic cage and they have been recognized since ancient times [1-3]. The two conditions differ in their appearance, and their effect on lung function. There is no direct correlation between the appearance of the deformities and the clinical symptoms. Whether, and when these deformities should be corrected as well as with which method (surgical or conservative) remain controversial. The following article reviews the current concepts regarding the pathophysiology of both conditions as well as the advances in their evaluation and management.