Optical Surface Imaging Versus Conventional Photography as a Tool to Document the Surface Geometry of Pectus Excavatum

Optical Surface Imaging Versus Conventional Photography as a Tool to Document the Surface Geometry of Pectus Excavatum

Optical Surface Imaging Versus Conventional Photography as a Tool to Document the Surface Geometry of Pectus Excavatum

Pectus excavatum is the most common congenital anterior chest wall deformity, known to occur in 1:400 of new-borns. Complaints may be of cosmetic nature or as a consequence of (cardio)pulmonary impairment. Part of the current work-up of pectus excavatum patients in Zuyderland Medical Centre (Heerlen, the Netherlands) is visual documentation of the deformity. Visual documentation is performed utilising a single-reflex camera and consists of 5 standard photographs (acquired from different angles) and two specialised recordings. These specialised recordings encompass a recording to measure the pectus excavatum's depth and a raster stereography recording to create a three-dimensional perspective. However, this form of visual documentation is not efficient, as it is time- and labor-intensive for the photographer and patient. Recently, another study started that aims to investigate whether three-dimensional (3D) optical surface scans can be used to determine pectus severity, as compared to chest radiographs and computed tomography scans (3DPECTUS study; METCZ20190048; NCT03926078). Building on this study it was determined whether 3D optical surface scans can be used as a tool to document the surface geometry of pectus excavatum. To determine whether the current standard photographs and specialised recordings can be replaced by a 3D scan, both methods are compared. To make this comparison, the pectus excavatum depth was chosen as an objective measure of agreement. If there is good agreement, it is assumed that the standard photos can be replaced by a 3D photo in the current work-up. This will subsequently result in a time saving as well as a reduced burden for the patient while acquisition of 3D scans takes only 10 seconds.

All participants will receive a 360 degrees 3D scan of their chest/pectus excavatum. In addition, all participants will receive a the standard photographs and specialised recordings of the current work-up to document their chest/pectus excavatum.

All participants will receive a the standard photographs and specialised recordings of the current work-up to document their chest/pectus excavatum.

The pectus excavatum depth is derived from one of the specialized recordings. The depth is obtained by placing a rigid bar with rule over the most excavated part in the transversal plane.

The pectus excavatum depth is calculated by slicing the 3D scan in the longitudinal direction. The pectus depth is subsequently calculated from the transversal slice with the most severe excavation.

Inclusion Criteria: All participants of the 3D PECTUS study (METCZ20190048; NCT03926078) that received a 3D scan and standard photographies. Exclusion Criteria: Participants in which the photography based pectus excavatum depth was measured in the transversal plane.

Daemen JHT, Loonen TGJ, Coorens NA, Maessen JG, Maal TJJ, Hulsewe KWE, Vissers YLJ, de Loos ER. Photographic documentation and severity quantification of pectus excavatum through three-dimensional optical surface imaging. J Vis Commun Med. 2020 Oct;43(4):190-197. doi: 10.1080/17453054.2020.1784711. Epub 2020 Aug 14.