title: Imaging of congenital chest wall deformities.
abstract: To identify the anatomy and pathology of chest wall malformations presenting for consideration for corrective surgery or as a possible chest wall "mass", and to review the common corrective surgical procedures. Congenital chest wall deformities are caused by anomalies of chest wall growth, leading to sternal depression or protrusion, or are related to failure of normal spine or rib development. Cross-sectional imaging allows appreciation not only of the involved structures but also assessment of the degree of displacement or deformity of adjacent but otherwise normal structures and differentiation between anatomical deformity and neoplasia. In some cases, CT is also useful for surgical planning. The use of three-dimensional reconstructions, utilizing a low-dose technique, provides important information for the surgeon to discuss the nature of anatomical abnormalities and planned corrections with the patient and often with their parents. In this pictorial essay, we discuss the radiological features of the commonest congenital chest wall deformities and illustrate pre- and post-surgical appearances for those undergoing surgical correction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Royal Brompton & Harefield Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: Sze M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Mak
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Royal Brompton & Harefield Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: Basrull N
authors.initials: BN
authors.lastname: Bhaludin
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Royal Brompton & Harefield Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: Sahar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Naaseri
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Royal Brompton & Harefield Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Di Chiara
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Royal Brompton & Harefield Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jordan
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Royal Brompton & Harefield Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Padley
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005660:Funnel Chest / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008297:Male; D013249:Sternum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013896:Thoracic Diseases / Q000151:congenital* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D035441:Thoracic Wall / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D055815:Young Adult