At Cincinnati Children’s, these CTs are performed with a slightly lower radiation dose, as the bones are the primary interest, and multiplanar and 3D reconstructions are computer generated without any additional imaging or radiation exposure to the infant or child.Ĭontributed by Dr. What is Craniosynostosis Craniosynostosis is a condition in which the sutures in a child’s skull close too early, causing problems with head growth. The earlier you can get a diagnosisideally, before the age of 6 monthsthe more effective treatment can be. On radiographs, a classic imaging finding is the “harlequin eye,” as the orbit remodels adjacent to the fused coronal suture (Fig 3).Īlthough radiographs and ultrasound can be used to assess the sutures, a 3D head CT readily demonstrates the normal sutures, the prematurely fused sutures, and allows the doctor to consider different treatment options. But as your baby grows, a misshapen head could be a sign of something else. Radiograph shows the typical “harlequin” configuration of the orbit adjacent to the fused left coronal suture.Ī child with unilateral coronal synostosis presents with flattening of the frontal region on the affected side, and the head shape becomes somewhat trapezoidal. Its medical name is positional plagiocephaly. More often, it happens in the first 4 to 12 weeks of life. Positional head flattening is sometimes referred to as flat head in babies. For about 20 of babies, a positional skull deformity occurs when they are in the womb or in the birth canal. This is called a positional skull deformity. 1a) and narrowing of the space between the eyes (Fig. When a baby spends a lot of time in one position, it can cause the shape of their head to change. Even though this suture normally closes, it can also close prematurely leading to a pointed configuration of the frontal bone (Fig. Some sutures normally close in infancy and childhood, such as the metopic suture. Brain growth drives skull growth and the brain. The skull is comprised of several different bones and the junction between bones is called sutures. This is a serious condition that can lead to issues with brain development if not corrected. The large sutures persist into early adulthood and can still be seen on radiographs and CT images as thin, irregular lines between the large skull bones. In rare cases, a baby’s head can become misshapen due to a condition called craniosynostosis. Normally, the sutures become progressively narrowed and ossify as the child develops. They also allow the skull to mold with mild overlapping of the cranial sutures during the birthing process, when a slightly smaller head size is advantageous for an easier delivery. The sutures allow the skull to increase in size to accommodate brain growth throughout infancy and childhood. The skull is composed of multiple bones that are connected at the fibrous cranial sutures. A baby’s head can also become misshapen from positional changes, including deformities that might have occurred in utero when the baby was developing. Is the pediatrician concerned that your baby’s head is misshapen? If so, the doctor might order a head CT to evaluate the cranial sutures to make sure that they have not closed prematurely.
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