Chicken breast, chicken breast
The chicken breast (Latin: Pectus carinatum) and the funnel chest are two of the most common chest deformities. A chest deformity is defined as a lesion at the junction of the sternum and the ribs.
The two best known are the funnel breasts and the chicken breast. The hen breast is forward bulging, while the funnel chest has a dent in the midline of the front chest wall.
Who does it appear for?
In both cases, the lesion occurs in children. The most common deformity is funnel chest, while hen’s chest occurs in about 2-3 percent of cases.
Chicken liver is usually a congenital problem, which is caused by
- Inherited predisposition
- Developmental disorder
- Other diseases (angioedema, severe scoliosis) may also be present
Funnel cell carcinoma is a childhood problem that can be diagnosed and is worth dealing with.
Pectus Excavatum (Funnel Chest)
A funnel chest, also known medically as pectus excavatus, is a chest deformity involving inward deformity of the sternum and ribs. Its cause is officially unknown, but there is a family history of its development.
Funnel chest can be a symmetric or asymmetric problem, depending on whether both sides are affected equally. In cases of minor indentation, it usually causes no complaints other than aesthetic problems, but in some cases the deformity can be so severe that the sternum and the spine almost touch. This can lead to severe respiratory and cardiac problems, which is why it is important to have funnel chest examined and treated in childhood.
Depending on the degree of deformity, a specialist will recommend therapy after carrying out the necessary tests. In most cases, conservative treatment methods (individual physiotherapy, swimming) are necessary to strengthen the muscles of the chest, abdominal wall and back. In severe cases, however, an intervention may be necessary if the heart or lungs are affected.
Symptoms of chicken and funnel breasts
In the case of chicken breasts, the lesion causes the sternum and ribs to protrude, increasing the diameter of the chest. In most cases, this causes aesthetic problems and consequent psychological distress, but it can also lead to more serious complaints.
In severe chicken liver, the thoracic organs and the spine may also be affected:
- If the lungs are affected, paradoxical breathing or even premature emphysema may occur
- Circulatory problems may be associated with heart involvement
- The bulging chest wall causes the shoulders to slump forward, which can lead to sloppy posture or even severe scoliosis
Funnel chest can be a symmetric or asymmetric problem, depending on whether both sides are affected equally. In most cases of minor indentation, there are no complaints other than aesthetic problems, but in some cases the deformity can be so severe that the sternum and the spine almost meet. This can lead to serious respiratory and cardiac problems, which is why it is very important to have funnel chest examined and treated in childhood.
What are the treatments for chicken breasts and funnel breasts?
Depending on the degree of deformity, a specialist will recommend therapy after carrying out the necessary tests. In most cases, conservative treatment methods (individual physiotherapy, swimming) are needed to strengthen the muscles of the chest, abdominal wall and back.
It can usually be treated conservatively (individual physiotherapy, swimming), but in severe cases, surgical treatment is an option. The examination is carried out by an orthopaedic specialist, pediatric orthopedics specialist, pediatric surgeon or thoracic surgeon. Treatment is carried out first by a specialist and then by a physiotherapist.
Our specialists in duodenal and chicken breast cancer
Dr. János Péter Görög
Specialist in thoracic surgery
Dr. Zoltán Ringwald
Pediatric traumatologist, pediatric surgeon, chief physician