Haller index

The Haller index, created in 1987 by Dr. Haller, Dr. Kramer, and Dr. Lietman, [Haller JA, Kramer SS, Lietman A. Use of CT scans inselection of patients for pectus excavatum surgery: aprelminary report. J Pediatr Surg 1987;22:904-6] is a mathematical relationship that exists in a human chest section observed with a CT scan. It is defined as the ratio of the transverse diameter (the horizontal distance of the inside of the ribcage) and the anteroposterior diameter (the shortest distance between the vertebrae and sternum). [ [http://www.scielo.br/pdf/jbpneu/v30n6/en_a03v30n6.pdf How the Haller is measured. Departament of Cardiology and Pulmonology of the Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo – Thoracic Surgery Sector] ] It is of diagnostic use "in vivo".

:$HI\; =\; frac\; \{distance1\}\{distance2\}$

where:: HI is the Haller Index: "distance1" is the distance of the inside ribcage: "distance2" is the distance between the sternum and vertebrae.

A normal Haller index should be about 2.5, chest wall deformities such as Pectus excavatum can cause the sternum to invert, thus increasing the index beyond the normal value. (Between 3.25 to 5.5) [ [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FSL/is_6_74/ai_81218971 Haller ranges] ]

ee also

*Pectus excavatum
*Nuss procedure

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