Do I Need A CT Scan Before Sagittal Ridge Skull Reduction Surgery?

Q: Dr. Eppley, Thank you for your reply and your feedback about the photos! And i think you are right that I do not have a true sagittal ridge but it looks a bit more elevated at the sagittal structure. But it still affects me negatively, and I am still interested in the surgery. In order to be more informed about the sagittal ridge bone burring procedure, i would like to ask you 2 questions.

1. Is it necessary for me to make a CT scan of my skull in order to determine if it is possible to perform the surgery? 

2. Will there be a visible scar left on my head when the procedure is done? (I assume, yes)

Thanks in advance!

A: 1) The only reason to ever get a CT scan (2D CT scan, no contrast) on a midline sagittal elevation is to determine if enough bone can be safely reduced to make a difference. In other words one wants to make the elevation is due to thicker bone not because the underlying bone has gotten thinner. While I have never seen such a situation in which the bone is too thin to operate it is always better to be ‘safe’/certain.

2) There will be a fine line scar about 4 cms in length but such scalp scars usually heals so well there has yet to be a resultant scar in a primary procedure that a patient felt was problematic. (request for scar revision)

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana