Medizinische Universität Graz Austria/Österreich - Forschungsportal - Medical University of Graz
Gewählte Publikation:
Pokall, S.
A new method for quantification of funnel chest with computed tomography
[ Dissertation ] Medical University of Graz; 2004. pp.
- Autor*innen der Med Uni Graz:
- Pokall Stefan
- Betreuer*innen:
- Höllwarth Michael
- Sorantin Erich
- Altmetrics:
- Abstract:
- Background: The radiological indices FSI and VI together, do not distinguish the different types of funnel chest sufficiently. It is possible that patients with different shapes of their funnel chest have similar FSI values and get a wrong grading by VI values. Aim: By using the area of the inner thorax (AITs in cm2) at the deepest point of the depression, standardized by division through the Body-Surface-Area (m2) of the patients, it should be possible to create a new Pectus Index (PeX) with a better discrimination of the different funnel chest types. Methods: In 95 funnel chest patients (age: 5 to 19 years, median 14ys) and in a corresponding non-funnel-chest control group of 101 patients (age: 4 to 19 ys, median 14 ys), FSI, VI and AIT were measured at CT images. With the new PEX, the FSI and the standardized area of the inner thorax (AITs) were put together in one formula: PEX = (FSI*AITs) / 100. Data were tested with a t-test for equality of means; level of significance was 0,05. Results: patient group and control group were significantly different (p< 0,001) concerning the mean of PEX (82 in control group and 49 in patient group). PEX convers a much wider range (67 in patient group) in contrast to FSI and VI (29 and 22 in patient group) and allows therefore a better discrimination of the different funnel chest types. Conclusions: With the new area index PEX, it is possible to characterize different shapes of funnel chest more accurately.