Skull Deformities Requiring Surgery

Types of Cranial Deformities Requiring Surgery

1. Craniosynostosis:

Craniosynostosis is a condition caused by the premature fusion of the skull bones. Normally, as the brain grows, the skull bones remain open and flexible, but in this condition, the sutures fuse too early, causing the skull’s normal shape to be distorted.
Prematurely closed sutures (the joints that connect the skull bones) lead to different deformities. For example:

• Scaphocephaly: The head develops long and narrow. It occurs due to early closure of the sagittal suture.

• Brachycephaly: The head becomes wide and short. This results from early closure of the coronal suture.

• Plagiocephaly: Flattening occurs on one side of the head, usually due to early closure of one side of the coronal suture.

• Trigonocephaly: A triangular-shaped structure forms at the front of the head, usually due to early closure of the metopic suture.

 

2. Craniofacial Anomalies:

Craniofacial anomalies involve abnormalities in both the skull bones and facial bone structures. In craniosynostosis, not only the skull but also facial development can be affected. In some cases, deformities in facial features such as the jaw and eye placement may occur.

3. Soft Tissue Anomalies:

Sometimes cranial deformities are accompanied by soft tissue problems. For example, muscle contractions (such as torticollis) can cause asymmetry of the facial shape. If these conditions cause severe deformities, surgical intervention may be necessary.