Thoracic skeletal abnormalities in young men with mitral valve prolapse.

Young National Servicemen were screened for cardiac murmurs and 74 cases of mitral valve prolapse were diagnosed. PA and lateral Chest X-rays were taken. 18% of the subjects had straight back, 24% had scoliosis, 38% had sternal abnormalities while 58% had one or more thoracic skeletal deformities. Comparisons were made with other series. Four radiographic measurements (AP diameter, AP/transthoracic ratio, vertebral index and angle of kyphosis) done differed significantly from the normal population. These measurements were also compared with foreign series. There were 2 cases with 'pancake' appearance of the heart. The significance and aetiology of this association is discussed. Mitral valve prolapse should be excluded in patients with thoracic skeletal abnormalities, especially those presenting with cardiac murmurs.