The Pediatric Chest Wall Program

The Pediatric Chest Wall Program at Shriners Hospitals for Children — Northern California is one of only a few in the nation established to diagnose, treat and manage chest wall malformations, particularly pectus carinatum (raised chest), pectus excavatum (sunken chest), Poland syndrome, and chondromas of the chest wall. Established in 2000 as a thoracic clinic, the program has grown and today includes cardiothoracic and pediatric surgeons, anesthesiologists, prosthetists, orthotists, nurses, child life specialists and social workers. Patients are usually referred by their primary care physicians for evaluation, but parents can also request an appointment. Families come to the Northern California Shriners Hospital from throughout the country.