Many deformities of the chest may be observed on inspection of the patient and provide a clue to lung or systemic disease. Scoliosis may be a clue to syringomyelia, old poliomyelitis, muscular dystrophy, and Friedreich's ataxia. The "rachitic rosary" seen in rickets is due to swelling of the costochondral junctions. Expansion of one side of the chest may be seen in acute pneumothorax. A barrel chest is typical of emphysema. Emphysema may produce a localized swelling of the chest. An aortic aneurysm may cause a pulsatile swelling of the upper anterior chest. Hodgkin's disease, carcinoma of the lung, tuberculosis, actinomycosis, and various benign tumors of the lung will cause localized swellings in the chest.
Plain films of the chest, thoracic spine, and ribs will usually be diagnostic of chest deformities. Sputum culture and sensitivity, pleural fluid analysis, culture, and CT scans will be helpful in confusing cases. Referral to a pulmonologist will also help clear up the confusion.
Read excerpts from these other book chapters related to Deformity symptoms:
Copyright Details: Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs, Copyright © 2008 Williams & Wilkins.
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Title: Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs Authors: R. Douglas Collins Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Copyright: 2003 ISBN: 0-7817-3805-9 
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