PC Types

Types of Pectus Carinatum

Pectus Carinatum presents in different forms but there are consistent anomalies between them. Because there are different formations, only a custom bracing solution should be considered. In most cases there is a protrusion of some part of the sternum, a depression of the anterior ribs below the protrusion and then a flaring of the distal (lower) ribs. From a medical standpoint there are two types of pectus carinatum: chondrogladiolar prominence (CG) and chondromanubrial prominence (CM). With CG, the middle and lower areas of the rib cage arch forward. The longer, more flexible ribs are affected. With CM (rarer) the upper rib cage is affected. It is more difficult to treat because of the high location and because the affected ribs are shorter and less flexible. Pectus carinatum may also be classified by cause and time of onset. Those classifications include:
  • post-surgical, which happens when the sternum doesn’t heal properly after surgery or chest trauma
  • congenital, where premature fusion of the chest cavity is present at birth
  • idiopathic, the most common type of PC, which usually appears between ages 7 and 15 and correlates with growth spurts
  • adult, usually an untreated idiopathic PC
PC is also classified according to the severity of the deformity as either:
  • Mild
  • Moderate
  • Severe
Mild cases may not require braces and if they do will correct very quickly. Moderate cases usually fully correct but often require a slightly longer wearing schedule. Severe cases require the longest time to correct and may not fully correct if the deformity has drifted to much to the side (Lateral PC). In reviewing hundreds of patients treated with the LA Pectus Brace Treatment Program (LAPBTP), we have classified Pectus Carinatum into seven categories based on the location of the primary prominence, as follows.
IMG min
CL min

Central Low

Apex below nipple line. Typically form a “spike” type deformity. Usually very flexible and usually corrects completely with the LABTP.read more

Order Type: Pectus Brace; Design: Central

IMG min
CM min

Central Mid

roughly in line with the nipples. Forms more of a squarish protrusion. Also typically flexible and will correct completely with the LABTP. read more

Order Type: Pectus Brace; Design: Central

DC lat min
DC ap min
CH min

Central High

A chondromanubrial prominence which is higher on the chest with the apex above the nipple line. Less common and less responsive to treatment. Results vary by how high it is on the chest but can often be corrected by up to 50% with the LABTP. read more

Order Type: Pectus Brace; Design: Central

PectusFront min
LR min

Right Lateral

The deformity is asymmetrical on the right side of the chest. This should ideally be braced a little earlier. Once they develop and become more severe, the deformity typically drifts more laterally making brace correction more difficult and requiring a more extensive form of LA Pectus Brace. read more

Order Type: Pectus Brace; Design: Right

IMG min
LL min

Left Lateral

The same as the right lateral PC but the protrusion is now on the left side. Also should ideally be braced a little earlier and with more severe cases require a more extensive form of LA Pectus Brace. read more

Order Type: Pectus Brace; Design: Left

Orig min
Orig min
LD min

Double Lateral

A less common form of PC where there appears to be both a left lateral and a right lateral. This is usually easy to correct and we expect a 100% improvement. read more

Order Type: Pectus Brace; Design: Central

IMG min
IMG min
RF min

Rib Flaring

Some degree of rib flaring is common in most PC deformity but occasionally is the predominant anomaly. It is also often seen with Pectus Excavatum and particularly following Pectus Excavatum surgery. read more

Order Type: Rib Flare Brace

Barrel Chest

Similar in appearance to the Central Mid PC, but a Barrel Chest does not have a protrusion. Instead it is a chest that is excessively deep relative to its width. Often also associated with Scheurmans Kyphosis. It is typically flexible and with the LABTP can be improved and, if there is Kyphosis present, it may also reduce some of the Kyphosis deformity.

Order Type: Rib Flare Brace