We often receive the question "Is a CT scan really necessary?" from people considering cosmetic surgery, especially rhinoplasty.In reality, while it's better to have a CT than not,it's not necessarily required in every case.What matters is the point of how the information obtained from the CT is utilized in the surgical design.
Dr. Tetsu has, over many years, been involved in rhinoplasty treatment including revision surgery and functional improvement, and has presented cases and findings at domestic and international conferences. An explanation based on that experience is not a mere generality but content that conveys the axes of judgment in actual clinical practice.
What are the merits of taking a CT for rhinoplasty?
CT (Computed Tomography) allows a more three-dimensional and precise grasp of the internal structure than an X-ray.Inside the nose there are bone, cartilage, mucosa, and air passages, and there are structural risk factors that cannot be judged by appearance alone.
■ The main information CT reveals
- The curvature of the septum (the degree of curving)
- Asymmetry of the nasal cavity and the state of ventilation
- The shape and thickness of the bone
- The presence of past surgical scars, adhesions, or foreign bodies
- The presence of sinusitis or hidden inflammation
This information plays an important role in technique selection, revision-surgery planning, and securing safety.Making a plan without a CT puts you in a state of "fighting by imagination" regarding the internal structure of the nose.
"A CT is not valuable for the act of being taken; it is an examination that has meaning only when the internal structure is accurately grasped and reflected in the surgical design."(Dr. Tetsu / Director, Zetith Beauty Clinic)
Cases where CT "should be taken"
In cases like the following, there is a high possibility that a CT scan is useful preoperatively.
✔ Those with a history of trauma
Deformity of bone or cartilage from injury may be hidden, and it cannot be judged by appearance alone.
✔ Those who have had nose surgery in the past
The internal structure may differ from normal due to the effect of previous surgery, and it is necessary to increase the planning accuracy.
✔ Those with a clear deviated nose (a crooked nose) or functional problems
Breathing function may be affected by septal deviation, and planning that aims to improve not only the shape but also the functional aspect is necessary.
✔ Those with nasal congestion or chronic discomfort who need otolaryngological intervention
To not overlook functional problems, three-dimensional imaging is also helpful.
In such cases, with preoperative diagnosis based on CT images and an individual treatment plan, a safer and more appropriate surgery becomes possible.
Cases where CT is unnecessary / a low priority
On the other hand, in surgeries like the following, CT can be a low priority:
✖ Relatively simple surgery that does not greatly intervene in the septal cartilage
Example:nasal tip plasty, procedures with cartilage grafting only, and the like—the detailed evaluation of the internal structure sometimes has a small impact on the result.
In such cases, the physician's experience and the skill of technique design become more important factors than CT.
Precautions | CT scans should not be performed indiscriminately
⚠ Radiation-exposure risk and cost
CT is a three-dimensional and useful examination, but it accompanies radiation exposure and examination costs. Also, there is basically no need to take it multiple times at the consultation stage.Using it only for the physician's convenience or to "stage reassurance" is a questionable approach.
A CT scan is not evaluated by "the fact that it was taken" alone; what is read from that image and how it is reflected in the surgical design is the essence.
CT results are not "numbers" but are utilized in treatment design
A CT scan does not generate value by itself.
CT → information extraction → surgical design → execution
Only with this flow does it have meaning, and it leads to postoperative safety and treatment effectiveness.
How the information obtained by CT before surgery is brought into the design is a point that tests the physician's experience and ability to interpret.
SummaryCT is "an examination that should be used appropriately precisely for those who need it"
CT is not an all-purpose examination, butif used appropriately, it becomes an effective tool that enhances safety and treatment effectiveness in rhinoplasty.
What is important for the patient isnot "whether a CT was taken"but the point of "what kind of judgment or surgical design that CT was used for."
Therefore, on the patient's side,
- why a CT is necessary, or why it is unnecessary
- what is confirmed with the CT, and how its result is reflected in the surgical plan
- if a CT is not taken, on what basis the judgment is made
regarding these points,whether there is a convincing explanation—confirming these during the consultation is important.
About rhinoplasty at Zetith Beauty Clinic
At Zetith Beauty Clinic, we providespecialized treatment focused on rhinoplasty.
Procedures by experienced physicians
✔ Treatment by physicians with abundant procedure experience In particular, Dr. Tetsu Shaku, the director of Zetith Beauty Clinic,has a track record of many rhinoplasty cases.✔ Custom-made design tailored to each individual's face✔ Procedures aimed at a natural result
"Precise rhinoplasty utilizing 3D simulation and CT"
At Zetith Beauty Clinic, located in Ginza,we have introduced the 3D simulation system "VECTRA", which 3D-izes the face in just 5 minutes andcan simulate the postoperative image.With this technology, we conduct consultations while confirming the shape and state of the patient's face from various angles,aiming to accurately share the ideal image.In addition, in rhinoplasty using an implant,after analyzing the bone structure in detail with a CT scan, we create a custom-made 3D implant tailored to each individual patient's bone structure, so a natural result can be expected.
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