The difference between rib flare and pigeon chest

Written by Fang Da Zheng
Orthopedics
Updated on September 02, 2024
00:00
00:00

The main difference between rib flaring and pigeon chest is that the former is caused by soft tissue pathology around the thoracic cage, while the latter is due to a bony deformity of the thoracic cage. Patients with rib flaring often have very thin muscles around the thoracic cage due to poor posture, such as excessive abdominal tucking or long-term dieting, which leads to a very prominent thoracic cage when standing. Pigeon chest, on the other hand, is due to severe malnutrition during the patient's growth and development phase, which leads to the anteroposterior diameter of the thoracic cage being larger relative to the mediolateral diameter. In this case, the patient will exhibit a noticeably protruding thoracic cage, especially at the front.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
1min 8sec home-news-image

What does chicken breast mean?

Pectus carinatum, commonly known as pigeon chest, is a frequent chest wall deformity characterized by a protruding sternum. It can occur similarly to rickets caused by vitamin D deficiency, where an indentation at the junction of the 6th to 8th ribs and the sternum causes the sternum to jut out, forming a pigeon chest. Pigeon chest is generally considered to be linked to genetics and is often caused by excessive growth of the ribs and costal cartilages, leading to deformities in the sternum and subsequently the ribs. Beyond causing psychological distress and affecting personality, pigeon chest can also impact respiratory and circulatory functions. In cases where the condition reaches a particular severity, surgical correction may be necessary. Correction during adolescence is ideal for mild to severe cases of pigeon chest. If parents notice any abnormalities in their child's chest wall, it is advisable to seek medical consultation to determine the need and approach for treatment.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Hu Xiao Cui
Nutrition Science
34sec home-news-image

Will chicken breast caused by calcium deficiency improve after calcium supplementation?

Children lacking Vitamin D can manifest various symptoms of rickets due to calcium deficiency, including pigeon chest, beading of the ribs, X-shaped legs, O-shaped legs, and square skull. As long as these are identified early, by supplementing with Vitamin D and calcium and ensuring comprehensive nutrition, children can return to normal growth and development. With age and appropriate physical exercise, these skeletal abnormalities can gradually improve and generally do not leave lasting effects.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Zhi Gong
Cardiothoracic Surgery
45sec home-news-image

Can moderate pigeon chest in children be corrected?

Can mild pectus carinatum in children be corrected? Pectus carinatum, commonly known as pigeon chest, is the second most common chest deformity encountered, after funnel chest. As the name suggests, pigeon chest refers to a protrusion of the sternum in the center, similar to the chest of a chicken or pigeon, where the sternum protrudes forward. This protrusion, to draw an analogy, is like a tree. This young sapling has already grown crooked. You cannot straighten it by fertilizing or any other means. Correction is only possible through procedures such as orthotic braces or compression, or more directly and effectively through surgical intervention. Surgery is the most straightforward and immediately impactful treatment method.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Fang Da Zheng
Orthopedics
47sec home-news-image

The difference between rib flare and pigeon chest

The main difference between rib flaring and pigeon chest is that the former is caused by soft tissue pathology around the thoracic cage, while the latter is due to a bony deformity of the thoracic cage. Patients with rib flaring often have very thin muscles around the thoracic cage due to poor posture, such as excessive abdominal tucking or long-term dieting, which leads to a very prominent thoracic cage when standing. Pigeon chest, on the other hand, is due to severe malnutrition during the patient's growth and development phase, which leads to the anteroposterior diameter of the thoracic cage being larger relative to the mediolateral diameter. In this case, the patient will exhibit a noticeably protruding thoracic cage, especially at the front.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Luo Peng
Thoracic Surgery
44sec home-news-image

Treatment methods for pigeon chest in children

When discussing treatment methods for children with pectus carinatum, it's important to consider the severity of the condition. Generally, mild to moderate cases do not require special treatment. For children under 18, most can wear a chest orthosis to correct the condition. Many people achieve good results after wearing it. However, some severe cases of pectus carinatum may compress the heart and lungs, causing cardiopulmonary dysfunction, and surgical treatment should be considered. Current surgical methods for pectus carinatum are minimally invasive, and generally, patients recover well postoperatively. Therefore, the treatment method for pectus carinatum should be determined based on the actual situation.