Craniosynostosis

Craniosynostosis is derived from the terms cranio, syn and ostosis that relates to the bone. It is a birth defect in which one or more of the joints between the bones on an infant's skull close prematurely, before the infant's brain is fully formed. Craniosynostosis transpire in one in 2000 births. An infant’s skull has seven bones. In general, these bones don’t fuse until the age of 2, giving enough time for the infant’s brain to develop. These bones are held together with a joint called cranial sutures, made of strong fibrous tissue.

Symptoms of Craniosynostosis

• Increase of pressure inside the skull such as intracranial pressure
• A distorted skull having the shape that depend upon which of the cranial sutures are affected
• Development of a hard or raised ridge near the affected sutures
• No or slow growth of the head as the baby grows
• Abnormal disappearing or feeling of a soft spot on the skull of the baby

Craniosynostosis can be categorized into many types. Some of the most commonly found types are:

Sagittal synostosis (scaphocephaly)
Premature fusion of the sew up at the top of the head forces the head to grow long and thin, rather than wide. Scaphocephaly is the most common type of craniosynostosis.

Coronal synostosis (anterior plagiocephaly)
The premature fusion of a coronal suture may force the infant’s forehead to flatten on the affected side. It can as well cause a deviated nose and slanted skull.

Bicoronal synostosis (brachycephaly)
In this stage, the baby may have a flat, elevated forehead and brow. This happens when both of the coronal sutures fuse prematurely.

Treatment of Craniosynostosis
The overall health and medical history of the child has to be taken into priority. The only treatment for craniosynostosis is an intervention of surgery. An open surgery is performed for reshaping the skull of the child. This is made at the top of the head by an incision. Followed by the affected suture is removed by a neurosurgeon, giving a more normal shape to the skull bones by a craniofacial plastic surgeon. Screws and plates are used for holding the new shape till the time bone heals. The screws and plates are made up of special material that absolutely dissolves in 1-2 years. Only one surgery is required if a baby has single suture craniosynostosis. More than one surgery is required if a child has craniosynostosis caused by craniofacial syndromes.

Blog by

Dr. Derick A. Mendonca
Consultant - Plastic Surgery
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Sakra World Hospital