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Ewbank et al. Mini-invasive Surg 2018;2:5 Mini-invasive Surgery
DOI: 10.20517/2574-1225.2017.51

Original Article Open Access

Magnetic resonance imaging study of orthotic
balloon brace used for the treatment of pectus
carinatum

Clifton Ewbank , Olajire Idowu , Taylor Chung , Sunghoon Kim 1
1
1
2
1 Division of Pediatric Surgery, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals, Oakland, CA 94609, USA.
2 Department of Diagnostic Imaging, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, Oakland, CA 94609, USA.
Correspondence to: Dr. Sunghoon Kim, Division of Pediatric Surgery, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals, 744 52nd Street, Suite 4100,
Oakland, CA 94609, USA. E-mail: skim@mail.cho.org
How to cite this article: Ewbank C, Idowu O, Chung T, Kim S. Magnetic resonance imaging study of orthotic balloon brace used for the
treatment of pectus carinatum. Mini-invasive Surg 2018;2:5. http://dx.doi.org/10.20517/2574-1225.2017.51

Received: 25 Dec 2017 First Decision: 28 Feb 2018 Revised: 11 Mar 2018 Accepted: 14 Mar 2018 Published: 21 Mar 2018
Science Editor: Mario Kopljar Copy Editor: Jun-Yao Li Production Editor: Huan-Liang Wu

Abstract
Aim: A compressive orthotic brace is considered the first line therapy for patients with pectus carinatum. We designed
a brace made of a non-metallic binder equipped with a balloon which can be insufflated to apply variable compression
pressure to chondrogladiolar pectus carinatum. The study aimed to study the effect of this brace on patients with pectus
carinatum, dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies were obtained.
Methods: Dynamic chest MRI studies were obtained on pectus carinatum patients fitted with the orthotic balloon brace.
Patient’s vital signs and oxygen saturations were recorded.

Results: Three pediatric patients were studied with the MRI. The variable pressure balloon brace provides effective
compression and correction of the pectus carinatum deformity. The compression of pectus carinatum chest did not result
in changes in vital signs or oxygen saturations.

Conclusion: Dynamic MRI studies done on pectus carinatum patients showed that chest wall can be molded to a normal
shape when a directional force is properly applied without changes in vital functions.

Keywords: Pectus carinatum, magnetic resonance imaging, chest balloon brace

INTRODUCTION
The treatment of chondrogladiolar pectus carinatum was surgical until a compressive orthotic brace was

© The Author(s) 2018. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
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