Chest Wall Disease Management Clinic

 Our dedicated resources optimize diagnosis and treatment while providing patients and their families with a seamless experience.

Our Mission

The University of Colorado Chest Wall Disease Management Clinic on the Anschutz Medical Campus has a team composed of board certified experts experienced in management of a wide variety of chest wall disorders in both children and adults, often using minimally invasive techniques.

Disorders Treated

Our specialists treat a wide range of chest wall disorders in patients of all ages. These disorders include congenital chest wall disorders such as: pectus excavatum (minimally invasive Nuss bar procedure), pectus carinatum, pectus arcuatum​, Poland syndrome, and cleft sternum; acquired chest wall disease such as chest wall tumors, recurrent pectus excavatum, chest wall infections, and chest wall trauma, as well as neurogenic and vascular thoracic outlet syndrome.

Pectus Excavatum is a deformity of the sternum where the breast bone is sunken into the chest. This results in the chest bowing inward and leaving the appearance of a depression in the chest. This condition can be noticed at birth but generally worsens during adolescence. This condition is more common in boys than girls, may be familial, and, depending on its severity, can interfere with the function of the heart and lungs.​ Surgery can correct the deformity and the use of the minimally invasive Nuss bar procedure can be used.

Pectus Carinatum is the opposite of pectus excavatum where the sternum is forced forward. This protrusion is caused by the formation of cartilage around the sternum. This deformity can be evident at birth and gradually worsens as the child develops. It can cause significant discomfort.

Pectus Arcuatum is a variant of pectus excavatum with a wave-like deformity of the sternum. Patients often have similar suymptoms as with pectus excavatum.

Our Approach

We provide multidisciplinary care and evaluation for patients, with streamlined evaluation that includes:

• Surgery consultation
• Medical and radiation oncology consultation
• Physical therapy/rehabilitation consultation
• Occupational therapy consult - Orthotics (brace fitting)
• Radiology
• Pulmonary function testing
• Echocardiography

We provide common intake for patients, with appropriate triaging to our specialists. This facilitates easy access for referring providers and patients. We also provide online resources for patients and providers.