Condition

Pediatric Pectus Carinatum

What You Need to Know

Pectus carinatum, sometimes called “pigeon breast,” is caused when the breastbone is pushed outward, and occurs only about a third as often as pectus excavatum.

Key Symptoms

Each child may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:

Psychological and social problems
Ability of the heart and lungs to function properly
Pain in the chest, back and elsewhere.

Diagnosis

Pectus carinatum will most likely diagnosed through a physical exam and often supplemented with imaging tests such as:

X-rays
CT scans

Treatment

Depending on the severity of each case, treatment typically includes:

Advanced chest-wall braces
Surgery

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Frequently Asked Questions

Explore frequently asked questions about pectus carinatum.

What is pectus carinatum?

Pectus carinatum, sometimes called “pigeon breast,” is caused when the breastbone is pushed outward, and occurs only about a third as often as pectus excavatum.

Because it affects the appearance of children, pectus carinatum can cause psychological and social problems. Moreover, it can hamper the ability of the heart and lungs to function normally, and can cause pain in the chest, back and elsewhere. In addition, pectus carinatum is associated with scoliosis.

What is the treatment for pectus carinatum in children?

Chest-wall braces for children

A custom-fitted chest-wall brace pushing directly on the sternum has proved to be an effective treatment for mild pectus carinatum in children and teenagers. The brace works in much the same way as orthodontic braces work to correct the alignment of teeth, applying steady pressure over time to change the alignment of the sternum. As in orthodontics, children must be willing to wear the chest-wall brace for 14 - 23 hours a day.

Surgery

Ravitch technique

Using the Ravitch technique, surgeons create an incision along the chest, through which they remove cartilage and detach the sternum. They then implant a small bar above the sternum to hold it in the desired position. The bar is left in position until the cartilage grows back, and can support the chest in a normal position. That usually takes about one to two years. The bar is then removed during a same-day operation.