Pectus excavatum in children: pulmonary scintigraphy before and after corrective surgery.

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Abstract
Regional distribution of pulmonary function was evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively with 133Xe perfusion and ventilation scintigraphy in 17 patients with pectus excavatum. Ventilatory preoperative studies were abnormal in 12 of 17 patients, resolving in 7 of 12 postoperatively. Perfusion scans were abnormal in 10 of 17 patients preoperatively; 6 of 10 showed improvement postoperatively. Ventilation-perfusion ratios were abnormal in 10 of 17 patients, normalizing postoperatively in 6 of 10. Symmetry of ventilation-perfusion ratio images improved in 6 out of 9 in the latter group. The distribution of regional lung function in pectus excavatum can be evaluated preoperatively to support indications for surgery. Postoperative improvement can be documented by physiological changes produced by the surgical correction.

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