Three-dimensional Optical Surface Imaging as a Diagnostic Tool in Pectus Excavatum

Overview

Pectus excavatum (PE) is the most common anterior chest wall deformity. Currently, a chest radiography (CR) or Computed Tomography (CT) scan is acquired to determine and objectify pectus severity using the Haller Index. Alongside other determinants, the Haller Index value is used in the proces of clinical decision making and determine surgical candidacy. However, cross-sectional imaging based calculation of the Haller Index implies exposure to ionizing radiation that should be limited at all times to diminish the cumulative long-term risks of malignancy. Especially in pectus patients that often concerns children. Three-dimensional (3D) optical surface imaging offers a non-invasive, radiation-free alternative that may be used to obtain thoracic measures and determine pectus severity. However, for 3D images/scans to be used as a diagnostic tool in the proces of clinical decision making and determine surgical candidacy, its diagnostic accuracy should be evaluated. This will be investigated utilizing a pilot study design as no prior accuracy studies are available.

This single-centre prospective pilot study is conducted to assess the diagnostic accuracy of 3D optical surface imaging based external Haller Index (EHI) measurements to quantify the severity of pectus excavatum. CR and CT based conventional Haller Indices (HI) are used as reference method. CR and CT are both used as reference method, as the work-up of pectus patients in our centre is dependent of age. Subsequently, two groups are created: (A) patients under 18 years of age that receive a frontal (anteroposterior) and sagittal chest radiography, and (B) patients aged 18 years or older that receive a chest CT scan. In this study, patients are their own control. To obtain optical surface images, a handheld 3D scanner is used. During acquisition, subjects will be standing in an upright position with arms abducted. Standard routinely used protocols are used to acquire chest radiographies and CT scans. The HI is obtained from all chest radiographies and CT scans, calculated by dividing the widest thoracic transverse diameter by the anteroposterior distance, measured from the posterior surface of sternum to the anterior surface of the vertebral body. The EHI, a modified measurement to assess pectus deformity, is used to quantify PE severity based on 3D optical surface images. The EHI is calculated by dividing the widest external thoracic transverse diameter by the distance between the external deepest point or point of maximal protrusion and external vertebral body. The EHI is also calculated from the available chest radiographies and CT scans. All measurements will be performed by three blinded observers that are not responsible to perform a comprehensive interpretation of the study. Following acquisition of all indices, the inter-observer reliability is calculated using the intraclass correlation coefficient. Based on the means, a receiver-operating characteristic (ROC)-curve is created for the 3D scan based EHI measurements, utilizing the surgical indication based on CR and CT (HI larger or equal to 3.25) images as gold standard. The optimal cut-off value, obtained from the ROC-curve is subsequently used to determine the 3D optical surface images' diagnostic accuracy.