Measuring the impact of brace intervention on pediatric pectus carinatum using white light scanning

Background

Evaluation of Pectus Carinatum (PC) deformity in patients undergoing bracing is limited to subjective assessment of the chest through physical exam and photography. White Light Scanning (WLS) is a novel 3D imaging modality and offers an objective alternative that is quick, inexpensive, and safe. We previously demonstrated the feasibility of using a WLS-derived proxy for Haller index, called the Hebal–Malas Index (HMI), in measuring the surgical correction of Pectus Excavatum. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the use of WLS to measure the severity of pre- and postbracing intervention of PC deformities and assess corrected difference between the two scans.

Methods

We conducted a prospective review of preintervention WLS scans in pediatric patients with PC from 2015 to 2017. HMI was obtained from the preintervention and postintervention WLS scans. Analysis assessed the differences of pre- and postbracing intervention of measurements.

Results

Of 32 patients with both pre- and postbracing scans, 13 (34%) showed improvement of more than 10%, 21 (55%) showed slight improvement of 1%–10%, and 4 (11%) did not improve at follow-up. The average postbracing change in the WLS-derived HMI was 0.10 (SD:0.11). The average length of bracing days was 331.4 (SD: 127.3) with an average of 6.8?h worn per day. Compliance was defined as patient reported utilization of the brace. Patients who were compliant showed a significant improvement (p?=?0.004) compared to those who were not compliant (Table 2). However, even patients with moderate compliance still improved in many instances. Change in height was a significant factor correlating with improvement. Children who grew more while wearing a brace showed greater improvement in their deformity.

Conclusion

Using this technique, we have the ability to objectively quantify the impact of bracing on the severity of PC deformity and measure change in deformity over time.

Type of study

Prospective study.

Level of evidence

Level IV.