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

Regional distribution of pulmonary function was evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively with xenon-133 perfusion and ventilation scintigraphy in 17 patients with pectus excavatum. Ventilatory preoperative studies were abnormal in 12 of 17 patients, resolving in seven of 12 postoperatively. Perfusion scans were abnormal in ten of 17 patients preoperatively; six of ten showed improvement postoperatively. Ventilation-perfusion ratios were abnormal in ten of 17 patients, normalizing postoperatively in six of ten. Symmetry of ventilation-perfusion ratio images improved in six out of nine 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.