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Diagnostic breast imaging is an important tool in evaluating abnormal physical examination findings and assessing incomplete screening mammographic results. It is imperative for primary care providers to be knowledgeable regarding which patients would benefit from this evaluation to provide optimal healthcare. more...

Abstract: This case study presents the diagnosis and treatment of a child with pectus excavatum (PE), a common congenital abnormality of the anterior chest wall characterized by depression of the lower sternum. This depression ranges in severity from a minor dent to a deep, concave hollow capable of displacing the heart and intrathoracic structures. PE could present as a mild, asymptomatic condition, primarily with cosmetic implications. PE may progress to become a severe pathology that induces both serious physical symptoms and psychosocial problems. Nurse practitioners must implement adequate assessment and care strategies for PE patients to achieve optimal health outcomes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier] more...