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.