What type of scan to indicate brow thickness?

[Christina308]

I was considering what to do about my forehead, and was wondering, which type of scan would yield the best information for determining the appropriate procedure? I have a brow ridge that is nearly ideal in the middle, but curves outward over my eyes. It seems to me, that if the area directly over my eyes could be shaved down to match the center, i'd be good to go. Providing there is enough bone of course. Most of what i read indicates that the thinnest area is right in the middle. Is it possible to see the thickness of the brow ridge in specific areas?

[Lagertha]

You would need to do frontal and side profile cranial x-ray. You can probably ask your GP for referral, so you can have it covered.. even if not, its not really expensive.

Easiest explained: side profile x-ray will show the thickness of the bone in the middle of sinus cavity. And frontal x-ray will reveal the size and shape of sinus cavity from frontal view, and give you better idea where can be bone shaved and reduced more aggressively and where not. 

[deeiche]

I've posted a link to my post with before and after profile X-Rays.  It is pretty obvious how large my frontal sinus was.

[Christina308]

Thanks for the pic's. I can definitely see the limitations of an x-ray. There's no way to tell where the thin wall of the sinus cavity meets the thicker brow ridge. Could a CT scan give a 3D model of the area?

[myfairlady49]

Thanks for the pic's. I can definitely see the limitations of an x-ray. There's no way to tell where the thin wall of the sinus cavity meets the thicker brow ridge. Could a CT scan give a 3D model of the area?

A suggestion - -  do a consult with a craniofacial surgeon who does FFS work.   They can tell you what imaging studies they need for your consultation ahead of time.  You can get them done locally,  and take them to your consult,  or wait and get them done when you get to your FFS surgeon.   

To answer your question -   a  3D model can be printed in plastic using the digital data.   But the 3D models are  not needed to do the typical type 3  forehead.   Those 3D models are sometimes used for complicated pediatric craniofacial cases where the craniofacial surgeon does much more complex remodeling of children's faces, eye sockets, and the rest of the skull.

[Lagertha]

Thanks for the pic's. I can definitely see the limitations of an x-ray. There's no way to tell where the thin wall of the sinus cavity meets the thicker brow ridge. Could a CT scan give a 3D model of the area?

You need frontal and side profile x-ray in order to determine where the thin wall of the sinus cavity meets the thicker brow ridge. Deeiche only showed side profile x-ray.

CT 3d scan can indeed show the same things even better (especially if you arent well versed in reading xray). You are able to see whatever section/plane in any direction you want, supposing you have the appropriate sotware and you know how to use it (I know nothing about that specifically...). But there are software, apparently even free, which you can use to read the file with ct-scan on your pc.



for example, you could move sagittal section forward or backwards as you would like, and see exactly where sinus cavity ends, and measure exactly how thick the frontal bone wall is at that or whatever section.

Just to mention, CT scans are more expensive than x-rays.. might be worth it.   

[Christina308]

Fantastic! That's exactly what i need. Thank's.....