title: Pectus excavatum severity underestimated due to lack of objective measures in radiological reports.
abstract: During a routine physical examination, the degree of pectus excavatum (PE) is not always appreciated as the external appearance does not always reflect the severity of the deformity. In the patient in this case report, the severity had been underestimated for 33 years. The physicians, having requested standard two-view chest radiographs, had relied solely on the radiological reports, where the PE had been ambiguously described as 'moderate' or 'substantial'. In patients where PE has been observed, it is essential that an objective numeric measure of severity, using the Haller index, is included in radiological reports.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Zuyderland Medical Centre, Heerlen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kragten
authors.affiliation: Department of Research, Zuyderland Medical Centre, Heerlen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Höppener
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Zuyderland Medical Centre, Heerlen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gielis
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Zuyderland Medical Centre, Heerlen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Machiel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Booij
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D057210:Delayed Diagnosis; D005660:Funnel Chest / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic / Q000379:methods*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed