Craniosynostosis is a birth defect where the sutures in a baby's skull close prematurely, causing abnormal skull and brain growth. There are several types defined by which suture is involved, including sagittal, coronal, metopic, and multiple sutures. The recommended treatment is early surgery to release the fused sutures and reshape the skull, often followed by molding helmet therapy. With early detection and treatment, craniosynostosis can be effectively managed to reduce pressure, correct deformities, and allow normal skull and brain development.

1. Craniosynostosis - Types and
Treatment

2. In children with craniosynostosis, the sutures or fibrous joints found between the
bony plates in the head, close prematurely causing problems with normal brain
and skull growth. In addition to building up pressure inside the skull, early closure
of the sutures will make the head and facial bones lose symmetry and look
abnormal. The recommended treatment for this birth defect is surgery. Early
detection and effective treatment is crucial to treating the condition and reducing
intracranial pressure and correcting the deformity.
Types of Craniosynostosis
Sagittal Synostosis: Sagittal Synostosis or scaphocephaly is the most common
type of craniosynostosis defect, characterized by a long and narrow head, with or
without bulging in the front and back. This condition occurs when the suture in the
midline of skull that runs right along the top of the head fuses early.
Coronal Synostosis: Also known as anterior plagiocephaly, this condition is
characterized by the flattening of forehead and brow at the affected side. It happens
with the premature fusion of either the right or left side of the coronal suture.
Metopic Synostosis: Metopic synostosis or trigoncephaly involves the premature
fusion of the suture in the middle of the forehead. This condition is characterized by
a narrow and triangular forehead with lateral pinching of temples.
Multiple Suture Synostosis: In this condition, there are multiple types of sutures.
The plastic surgeon will closely evaluate the child's X-rays or a CT scan to determine
the type of defect and develop the appropriate treatment plan.
Treating Craniosynostosis
The two common surgical procedures to correct the condition are:
Endoscopic Synostosis Repair: This is a minimally invasive surgical method. An
endoscope is used to view the affected suture through minute incisions in the scalp.
A segment of bone is removed near the fused bone and in some other places, which

3. releases the fusion. A custom molding helmet is made after the first week after
surgery, and the child is made to wear this for up to a year.
Cranial Vault Remodeling: In this method, the correction of the shape of the head
is done by moving the abnormally fused or prematurely fused area in the right
manner to reshape the skull. It is usually performed on older children.
Craniosynostosis can be detected at early at well-child visits which are an
important part of a child's health care. Parents should consult a qualified,
experienced board-certified plastic surgeon if they notice symptoms of the condition
such as unusual shape of the head, unusual raised ridges on the scalp or poor
growth of the child.
It is relatively easy to find an AAAASF-accredited plastic surgery center with a
skilled surgeon in Houston, Texas. Some established surgeons provide children
with facial disfigurements treatment regardless of financial resources.