Craniosynostosis, or head deformities, is a congenital disability in which there is premature closure of the joints of the head bones.
There are joints of fibrous tissue that connect the bones of the skull. This fibrous tissue is called "sutures. The sutures allow the size of the skull to adjust as the brain grows inside it. The brain continues to slowly develop during the baby's first few years of life. As the person grows, these sutures, which used to remain flexible, now harden and close. When the sutures close, the skull grows larger.
When these sutures close too soon, craniosynostosis occurs, restricting the skull's ability to develop and grow normally. Because the brain continues to grow, the baby's head appears deformed.
Signs and symptoms of Craniosynostosis:
Many of the signs of Craniosynostosis are evident at birth and become more noticeable during the first few months of life, some are:
Deformed skull
Small head size compared to the body
Abnormal sensation or missing fontanel of the baby's skull
The soft part of the baby's head becomes hard, forming increased pressure inside the skull (Intracranial hypertension)
The symptoms of Intracranial Hypertension are:
Bulging or strained fontanel
Very noticeable scalp veins
Persistent headaches
Problems with vision
Developmental delays
Drowsiness or poor alertness
Convulsions
Vomiting
Bulging eyes
Inability to see upwards with the head facing
Irritability
High-pitched cry
Types of craniosynostosis:
There are several types of Craniosynostosis, including:
Plagiocephaly: This is called coronal synostosis and causes both the forehead and the brow to stop growing. It involves the fusion of the coronal suture on the right or left side going from ear to ear, causing a flattening of the forehead and brow on the affected side. In some cases, the eye on the affected side may also have a different shape.
Trigonocephaly: characterized by a triangular prominence of the forehead and eyes very close together. Trigonocephaly is the premature fusion of the frontal suture that extends from the top of the head across the middle of the forehead to the nose.
Scaphocephaly: is the most common type of synostosis. It is caused by premature fusion of the sagittal suture, characterized by a long, narrow head. The skull is long from front to back and narrow from ear to ear.
Causes of Craniosynostosis:
The causes of Craniosynostosis are unknown in the vast majority of cases.
In some babies, this condition occurs due to changes in their genes or a combination of genes and other environmental factors, or medications used during pregnancy.
Other types of syndromic craniosynostosis are caused by genetic syndromes such as Apert syndrome, Pfeiffer syndrome, or Crouzon syndrome.
Treatment of craniosynostosis:
There are some mild cases of craniosynostosis in which the Pediatric Neurosurgeon does not recommend surgery and only recommends using a special helmet to help reshape the baby's head. However, in most cases, surgery is the primary treatment.
Surgery is intended to correct the head's abnormal shape, reduce or avoid pressure on the brain, and leave a space in the skull for the brain to grow normally.
Open or traditional surgery: This is usually indicated for babies older than 6 months. The pediatric neurosurgeon makes an incision in the baby's scalp and reshapes the skull's affected part. It is a surgery that requires a hospital stay of several days, as well as a longer recovery. It is usually a one-time surgical procedure.
Laparoscopic or Minimally Invasive Surgery: This is the surgery that is recommended for babies under 6 months of age. With this method, the pediatric neurosurgeon uses a flexible, lighted tube to make small incisions in the scalp through which he opens the sutures to allow the brain to grow normally. This surgery produces much less bleeding than open surgery, is faster, and requires a shorter hospital stay. Your baby may need to wear a shaping helmet after this surgery.
Helmet therapy: After endoscopic surgery, office visits are required from time to time to fit a series of helmets to help shape the baby's skull.
If open surgery was performed, no helmet is needed afterward.
Remember that early detection and treatment are essential in the treatment of Craniosynostosis as it can affect the child's brain and development.