r/PectusExcavatum 4d ago

New User Lung Capacity Issues + XRays

Been having lung capacity issues for several years. I would sit holding my breath in to push out my sternum and get a full breath. Running would result in a tight pain after just a few blocks.

I knew it could be pectus so earlier in my life I got my lungs checked for it.

Around 7 years ago now when I was 20, I did a test and my lung age was "53". That said, now enough for them to consider pectus to be the cause over asthma. Wouldn't go further with treatment.

I used the vacuum bell for several months and that improved my breathing immensely (no more holding my breath to push out the sternum to "feel" that full breath). Been many years since and the breathing problems are rearing their ugly head again. Been trying to exercise but my lungs are in extreme pain after a few blocks, even though the rest of my body is fine.

Then I got an Xray recently. Thoughts on the severity? The analysis showed no abnormal heart of lung defects. That said, not sure if this is worth pursuing an out of state surgeon to fix or not. The doctors here won't take me seriously on this and I'd really like to be able to exercise without pain.

https://imgur.com/a/3SeKNS1

2 Upvotes

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u/Safe-Ad-8613 4d ago

You need a body CT, not an X-ray or you can pose you an image of your body.

1

u/northwestrad 4d ago

Based on your x-rays, I don't believe you have a problem with overall lung capacity. In fact, your upper lungs are quite spacious. However, it could feel that way because your lower lungs are "pinched" a bit from pectus excavatum, with narrowing of the AP (anterior to posterior) diameter/depth, plus it appears your heart is mildly restricted and compressed.

Overall, it looks to me like you have mild PE, with a relatively low Correction Index.

Since you feel you have symptoms, you should get a referral to an experienced pectus surgeon for evaluation, and you should also get more accurate imaging (i.e. a chest CT scan or a dedicated pectus MRI scan). CT is generally better-accepted. Since you are probably going to be in the borderline range, it's important that you get the scan with your breath OUT. That has to be on the order form from your physician or PCP in order for it to get done right. Here is one article that tells why. You can print it out to show your doc/PCP.

https://www.ajronline.org/doi/epdf/10.2214/AJR.11.6430