Does my cat scan show that I am a candidate for a deviated septum rhinoplasty/septoplasty? (Photos)

Determination of the need for septoplasty may not require a CT scan. People with deviated nasal septa usually complain of one-sided nasal obstruction, and diagnosis is made during an office visit. Your CT may show a bony septal spur on your left, but in my opinion, this may not be clinically significant since it is far back in your nose, and not near your nasal valves. Hope this helps. Dr Joseph

Great question!  You CAT scan does show some deviation of your septum but most many patients have deviated septum without problems.  There is no medical necessity to undergo surgery unless you are having breathing problems.  If you do have breathing problems, then fixing the deviated septum could help.  Therefore, seek a consultation with a few board certified plastic surgeons and go with the one you feel most comfortable with.Best of luck and hope this information helps!- Dr. Roger Tsai  @DrRoger TsaiBoard Certified Plastic Surgeon

Hello and thank you for your question. My best advice is that you discuss your concerns and aesthetic goals with a board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience in performing rhinoplasty. I would ask to see before and after pictures of their real patients. It's important that you trust your surgeon's skills and ability to achieve the results you are looking for. In particular, pay attention to your surgeon's experience with rhinoplasty. Best,
Pejman Aflaki, M.D.

Johns Hopkins-trained double board-certified plastic surgeon
and sharing your CT. You do have a deviated septum. 

Yes, it does! However, insurance coverage is only for septal deviation causing breathing obstruction. See several very experienced rhinoplasty surgeons who can show you natural results.

Even though your CAT scan shows some deviation of your septum, surgery is only indicated if there is a problem caused by the deviation, most commonly difficulty breathing. Septal deviation itself does not require surgery if there are no problems associated with it.

Your CT scan shows a septal deviation/spur that is up against the inferior turbinate, suggesting this would account for any breathing problems on that side of your nose. It would be of benefit to have a septoplasty as part of your rhinoplasty.

 Much more information is needed, such as looking at  all of the images presented on the CT scan, a thorough internal examination of the nose, and obtain a history from the patient about their nasal obstruction symptoms. Its also best to try and fail medical management before undergoing surgical intervention for nasal obstruction. A septoplasty is performed for  a deviated septum once medical necessity has been documented. A rhinoplasty is considered cosmetic,  And must be paid for by the patient. Both functional and cosmetic nasal surgery can be performed simultaneously under one anesthesia with one recovery period.

Hello. 
Images alone are not enough criteria for a surgical decision. Your images show a deviation(spur) to the left, but what is most important is the breathing symptoms you have. 

Dear Lilipassa, Your CAT scan does show deviation of the septum however surgery is only indicated when the deviation is causing breathing concerns. I would seek some consultations with experts in the field aided with digital imaging and an intra nasal examination to discuss correcting both aesthetics and function if breathing difficulties are present. Best regards, Michael V. Elam, M.D.