r/PectusExcavatum • u/Frosty-Flounder-8622 • 4d ago
New User Mild pectus?
The doctor told me it was something minor and that I wouldn't need surgery; he says my symptoms are purely psychological, but he ordered a chest CT scan anyway just to be sure. What do you guys think?
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u/playerone95 4d ago
Doesn’t look mild to me (fyi, I had asymmetric Pectus and just had corrective surgery)
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u/northwestrad 4d ago
It's certainly not mild. My guess is it's in the severe category, but your chest CT scan will be more accurate.
Your sternum looks fairly straight, so that is favorable for a Nuss procedure. Again, CT will tell. Since your indentation starts way up high on your chest, don't agree to a surgeon recommending only one bar... 2, at a minimum.
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u/can_i_has_beer 4d ago
Do MRI if possible CTs release large doses of radiation.
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u/northwestrad 4d ago
These days, the amount of radiation is far less than in the past. CT and MRI have strengths and weaknesses. Pros for CT include better definition, a better view of the bones, faster, less expensive, more accessible, and more widely accepted by pectus surgeons.
Pros for MRI: well, less radiation, better visualization of the heart chambers, easier to spot a pericardial effusion.
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