Thoracic Sagittal Diameter (Clinical Skills/Additional Examinations Funnel Chest)

The measurement of the external clinical and internal x-ray thoracic sagittal diameter is part of the clinical skills. It allows an objective comparison of the values during growth pre- and postoperatively. The figure of Stucki shows the normal values of the external (at the top) and internal thoracic sagittal diameters (at the bottom) and their percentiles in relation to body length and age (x-axis) (Stucki HR. Z Kinderchir 11:21,1972).