Poland's syndrome

Abstract

Poland's syndrome is characterized by hypoplasia or absence of the breast or nipple, hypoplasia of subcutaneous tissue, absence of the costosternal portion of the pectoralis major muscle, absence of the pectoralis minor muscle, and absence of costal cartilages or ribs 2, 3, and 4 or 3, 4, and 5. Clinical manifestations of Poland's syndrome are extremely variable and rarely are all the features recognized in one individual. Depending on the physician's specialty and the referral pattern, a variable incidence of the anomalous defects is recognized. Syndactyly or bony abnormalities of the forearm are seldom treated by thoracic surgeons.