Pectus excavatum can result in which type of lung pathology?

Pectus excavatum can result in which type of lung pathology?

• A. Restrictive lung pathology
• B. Obstructive lung disease
• C. Pleural effusion
• D. Pulmonary embolism

Answer: (A)

Pectus excavatum reduces chest wall compliance and limits how much the lungs can expand during inspiration. That mechanical restriction leads to a restrictive lung pattern, characterized by smaller total lung capacity and vital capacity (with a normal or high FEV1/FVC ratio), rather than narrowing of airways. Patients may experience dyspnea on exertion due to reduced lung volumes. Obstructive disease would show reduced airflow and a lowered FEV1 relative to FVC, which isn’t the typical result of a chest wall deformity. Pleural effusion involves fluid in the pleural space, and a pulmonary embolism is a vascular event; neither is a direct consequence of the chest wall deformity. Thus, the expected lung pathology is a restrictive pattern.

Pectus excavatum reduces chest wall compliance and limits how much the lungs can expand during inspiration. That mechanical restriction leads to a restrictive lung pattern, characterized by smaller total lung capacity and vital capacity (with a normal or high FEV1/FVC ratio), rather than narrowing of airways. Patients may experience dyspnea on exertion due to reduced lung volumes.

Obstructive disease would show reduced airflow and a lowered FEV1 relative to FVC, which isn’t the typical result of a chest wall deformity. Pleural effusion involves fluid in the pleural space, and a pulmonary embolism is a vascular event; neither is a direct consequence of the chest wall deformity. Thus, the expected lung pathology is a restrictive pattern.