Daunt Stephen W, Cohen Justine H, Miller Stephen F
Department of Diagnostic Imaging, The Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8, Canada.
Pediatr Radiol. 2004 Apr;34(4):326-30. doi: 10.1007/s00247-003-1116-1. Epub 2004 Jan 23.
The Haller index is an accepted CT method for evaluating thoracic dimensions in patients with pectus excavatum. The purpose of this study is to establish age- and gender-related norms for the Haller index in childhood.
We retrospectively reviewed 574 consecutive chest CT examinations (M=285, F=289) performed at our institution from August 2001 through March 2002. Seventeen patients with a history of chest-wall deformity, trauma, or syndrome were excluded, for a total sample size of 557 patients. The Haller index was calculated for each patient, using electronic calipers. The sample population was then separated by gender and placed into 2-year age groupings. Two-way analysis of variance and Tukey's multiple comparisons were performed to determine significance at a=0.05. The least-square mean Haller index values for each age group and gender were calculated with 95% confidence intervals.
In both males and females, the 0- to 2-year age group showed a significantly smaller mean Haller index than older children. In addition, females had significantly greater Haller index values than males in the 0- to 6- and 12- to 18-year age groups.
The Haller index, a quantitative measurement of chest-wall configuration, demonstrates significant age- and gender-related variability. This should be considered when evaluating the patient with suspected chest-wall deformity.
哈勒指数是一种公认的用于评估漏斗胸患者胸廓尺寸的CT方法。本研究的目的是建立儿童期哈勒指数与年龄和性别的相关标准。
我们回顾性分析了2001年8月至2002年3月在本机构进行的574例连续胸部CT检查（男性285例，女性289例）。排除17例有胸壁畸形、创伤或综合征病史的患者，最终样本量为557例患者。使用电子卡尺为每位患者计算哈勒指数。然后将样本人群按性别分开，并分为2岁年龄组。进行双向方差分析和Tukey多重比较以确定显著性水平α=0.05。计算每个年龄组和性别的最小二乘平均哈勒指数值及其95%置信区间。
在男性和女性中，0至2岁年龄组的平均哈勒指数均显著低于年龄较大的儿童。此外，在0至6岁和12至18岁年龄组中，女性的哈勒指数值显著高于男性。
哈勒指数作为胸壁形态的一种定量测量方法，显示出与年龄和性别显著相关的变异性。在评估疑似胸壁畸形的患者时应考虑这一点。
