Poland Syndrome, Cleft Sternum and other Rare Chest Wall Conditions
Other chest wall conditions we treat include Poland, Cleft Sternum, and mixed conditions. These conditions are rare, but can be treated.
Poland Syndrome
Poland Syndrome is a rare congenital condition that is most commonly described as the absence of chest wall muscles on one side of the body and abnormally short.
Children with Poland Syndrome may show varying signs of the condition such as the underdevelopment or absence of upper ribs, elevation of the shoulder blade, and/or shortening of the arm.
Poland Syndrome is more common in males than females and most frequently appears on the right side of the body.
The exact cause of the condition is unknown. A diagnosis is usually made at birth based upon physical findings and through clinical evaluation and a variety of tests such as a CT scan to determine the extent to which the muscles may be affected.
Treatment may include plastic surgery to rebuild the chest wall and to graft ribs into the correct places.
Cleft Sternum
Sternal cleft is a rare asymptomatic congenital condition due to a partial or total failure of sternal fusion at an early stage of embryological development.
Complete sternal cleft is easily diagnosed at birth. Early surgery is best. In some cases the surgery can be performed in the neo-natal period in order to protect the infants heart and mediastinal structures. Structures in the mediastinum include the heart, esophagus, trachea, and large blood vessels including the aorta.
Mixed Conditions
Some children may show a combination of chest wall conditions. These are called mixed conditions and treatment can be similar to that for pectus excavatum or pectus carinatum. Depending on how a child’s chest wall presents, a combination of treatment such as vacuum bell therapy, bracing, or surgery may be needed.
Our team of highly-skilled surgeons who specialize in chest wall anomalies and treat a large number each year can design a custom plan to improve your child’s mixed deformity.
Disclaimer: This information is not intended to substitute or replace the professional medical advice you receive from your child's physician. The content provided on this page is for informational purposes only, and was not designed to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. Please consult your child's physician with any questions or concerns you may have regarding a medical condition.