Dolichocephaly without sagittal craniosynostosis

J Craniofac Surg. 2013 Sep;24(5):1713-5. doi: 10.1097/SCS.0b013e3182a12ece.

Abstract

Premature closure of the sagittal suture is thought to be fundamental to the etiopathology for the disease process called sagittal craniosynostosis. This process traditionally results in a well-known skull malformation termed dolichocephaly. Over recent decades, some authors have questioned the suture as the primary driving force for this pathology. This is a retrospective cases series of 4 patients from 2011 to 2012 who presented to the Yale Craniofacial Clinic for evaluation of dolichocephaly. The 4 children, 3 boys and 1 girl, had physical examinations and cranial indices concerning for sagittal craniosynostosis; however, subsequent computed tomographic imaging revealed sagittal suture patency. This series adds to a growing body of literature, which describes abnormal head shapes not attributable to overt suture pathology.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Child, Preschool
  • Cranial Sutures / diagnostic imaging*
  • Craniosynostoses / pathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Skull / abnormalities*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed