Papilledema in unicoronal synostosis: a rare finding.

OBJECTIVE: Unicoronal synostosis results in frontal plagiocephaly and is preferably treated before the patient is 1 year of age to prevent intracranial hypertension (ICH). However, data on the prevalence of ICH in these patients is currently lacking. This study aimed to establish the prevalence of preoperative and postoperative signs of ICH in a large cohort of patients with unicoronal synostosis and to test whether there is a correlation between papilledema and occipitofrontal head circumference (OFC) curve stagnation in unicoronal synostosis. METHODS: The authors included all patients with unicoronal synostosis treated before 2 years of age at a single center between 2003 and 2013. The presence of ICH was evaluated by routine fundoscopy. The OFC growth curve was analyzed for deflection and in relationship to signs of ICH. RESULTS: In total, 104 patients were included in this study, 84 (81%) of whom were considered to have nonsyndromic unicoronal synostosis. Preoperatively, none of the patients had papilledema as determined by fundoscopy (mean age at surgery 11 months). Postoperatively, 5% of patients with syndromic synostosis and 3% of those with nonsyndromic synostosis had papilledema, and this was confirmed by optical coherence tomography. Raised intracranial pressure was confirmed in 1 patient with syndromic unicoronal synostosis. Six of 78 patients had OFC stagnation, which was not significantly correlated to papilledema (p = 0.22). One child with syndromic unicoronal synostosis required repeated surgery for ICH (0.96%). CONCLUSIONS: Papilledema was not found in patients with unicoronal synostosis when they underwent surgery before the age of 1 year and was also very rare during follow-up. There was no relationship between papilledema and OFC stagnation.

Pilot study of intracranial venous physiology in craniosynostosis.

OBJECTIVE In addition to craniocerebral disproportion, other factors, such as Chiari malformation type I, obstructive sleep apnea, and venous outflow obstruction, are considered to have a role in the occurrence of intracranial hypertension in craniosynostosis. This pilot study examined cerebral venous flow velocity to better characterize the complex intracranial venous physiology of craniosynostosis. METHODS The authors performed a prospective cohort study of craniosynostosis patients (n = 34) referred to a single national (tertiary) craniofacial unit. Controls (n = 28) consisted of children who were referred to the unit's outpatient clinic and did not have craniosynostosis. Transfontanelle ultrasound scans with venous Doppler flow velocity assessment were performed at the first outpatient clinic visit and after each surgery, if applicable. Mean venous blood flow velocities of the internal cerebral vein (ICVv) and the superior sagittal sinus (SSSv) were recorded and blood flow waveform was scored. RESULTS Preoperatively, SSSv was decreased in craniosynostosis patients compared with controls (7.57 vs 11.31 cm/sec, p = 0.009). ICVv did not differ significantly between patients and controls. Postoperatively, SSSv increased significantly (7.99 vs 10.66 cm/sec, p = 0.023). Blood flow waveform analyses did not differ significantly between patients and controls. CONCLUSIONS Premature closure of cranial sutures was associated with decreased SSSv but not ICVv; indicating an effect on the superficial rather than deep venous drainage. Further Doppler ultrasound studies are needed to test the hypothesis that at an early stage of craniosynostosis pathology SSSv, but not pulsatility, is abnormal, and that abnormality in both SSSv and the superficial venous waveform reflect a more advanced stage of evolution in suture closure.

Prenatal ultrasound parameters in single-suture craniosynostosis.

INTRODUCTION: Although single-suture craniosynostosis is diagnosed sporadically during pregnancy, timely referral is critical for its treatment. Additionally, craniosynostosis leads to increased maternofetal trauma during birth. In the Netherlands, 95% of pregnant women receive a standard ultrasound at around 20 weeks of gestation, potentially an ideal setting for detecting craniosynostosis prenatally. To enhance the prenatal detection of the metopic and the sagittal suture synostosis, we wished to identify new screening parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data of the 20-week anomaly scan in trigonocephaly patients (n = 41), scaphocephaly patients (n = 41), and matched controls (n = 82). We measured six different cranial dimensions, including head circumference, biparietal diameter, and occipito-frontal diameter, defining the cephalic index as the ratio between biparietal and occipito-frontal diameter. RESULTS: Prenatal biometric measurements did not differ significantly between trigonocephaly patients and controls. Although significantly lower in scaphocephaly patients (0.76 versus 0.79; p = .000), the cephalic index by itself is not appropriate for screening at 20 weeks of gestation. Longitudinal analysis suggests that a deflection in BPD curve is found in scaphocephaly patients, starting at 20 weeks of gestation. CONCLUSIONS: Prenatal biometric measurements do not differ significantly between trigonocephaly patients and controls. The CI is lower in scaphocephaly patients. A deflection in BPD curve should be followed by 3 D imaging of the cranial sutures.

Perinatal complications in patients with unisutural craniosynostosis: An international multicentre retrospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: Craniosynostosis may lead to hampered fetal head molding and birth complications. To study the interaction between single suture craniosynostosis and delivery complications, an international, multicentre, retrospective cohort study was performed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All infants born between 2006 and 2012 in the Netherlands and Sweden with sagittal or metopic suture synostosis were included. All births were included as a reference population. The primary outcome measure was rate of medically assisted labor. The secondary outcomes included method of conception, term of birth and fetal position. RESULTS: We included 152 trigonocephaly patients, 272 scaphocephaly patients and 1.954.141 controls. A higher rate of assisted reproductive technology (ART) was found in patients with trigonocephaly (13%) and scaphocephaly (7%) compared to controls (3%, p < 0.001). Scaphocephaly resulted in more postterm births (8% vs 4%, p < 0.001). Trigonocephaly patients showed more preterm births (11% vs 6%, p < 0.001), breech position was more frequent (10% vs 4%, p = 0.003) and labor was more often induced. Rate of assisted delivery, including cesarean section, was significantly higher in both patient groups. CONCLUSIONS: Scaphocephaly leads to more postterm births and an increased rate of cesarean sections. Trigonocephaly is related to ART, and in addition higher rates of breech position and cesarean section are found. Prenatal detection of single suture craniosynostosis could improve perinatal care.

Very Low Prevalence of Intracranial Hypertension in Trigonocephaly.

BACKGROUND: Trigonocephaly is caused by metopic suture synostosis. It is treated by fronto-orbital remodeling, not only to correct the deformity but also to prevent intracranial hypertension, the reported prevalence in trigonocephaly of which ranges from 0 to 33 percent. To support treatment analysis and the design of a treatment protocol for intracranial hypertension in these patients, the authors wished to more accurately quantify the prevalence of preoperative and postoperative intracranial hypertension in a large patient cohort. METHODS: The authors included all trigonocephaly patients born between 2001 and 2013 who had all been operated on at a single center. During follow-up, the presence of intracranial hypertension was evaluated by funduscopy, and occipitofrontal head circumference was measured. The occipitofrontal head circumference curve was analyzed and its relation to intracranial hypertension assessed. RESULTS: In total, 262 patients with trigonocephaly were included. Before surgery, 1.9 percent of them had intracranial hypertension; after surgery, 1.5 percent did (mean age at last follow-up, 4.9 years). Sixteen of 176 patients (9 percent) had occipitofrontal head circumference curve stagnation, which was significantly related to intracranial hypertension (p = 0.001, Fisher's exact test). CONCLUSIONS: Intracranial hypertension occurs only sporadically in patients with metopic suture synostosis. Occipitofrontal head circumference measurement should take a prominent place in the postoperative follow-up of metopic suture synostosis patients; stagnation of the occipitofrontal head circumference requires additional screening for intracranial hypertension. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.

Unilateral versus bilateral correction of unicoronal synostosis: an analysis of long-term results.

INTRODUCTION: Hollowing of the temporal region is a common problem after cranioplasty for unicoronal synostosis. In this study, first, the development of temporal hollowing pre- and postoperatively is evaluated. Second, the origin of temporal hollowing is investigated by comparing two operative techniques. Ultimately, the relation between timing of surgery and the development of hollowing is investigated. METHODS: From 1979 to 2010, 194 patients with unicoronal synostosis were operated at our center. Patients were treated with a unilateral or bilateral correction of the supraorbital rim. A total of 48 patients qualified for the present study. Mean age at follow-up was 7.5 years. Cephalic landmarks were identified on radiographs prior to and after surgery to determine the growth of the forehead. For visual analysis, two independent observers evaluated normal photographs for the presence and severity of temporal hollowing. RESULTS: Preoperative osseous asymmetry improved significantly after surgery. A total of 21 patients show an increase of temporal hollowing on photographs after surgery (46%). In 35 out of 48 patients, postoperative temporal hollowing was noted (73%). Bilaterally treated patients showed more severe temporal hollowing compared to unilaterally treated patients, though not significantly (23% vs. 6%, p = 0.229). Timing of surgery (before or after the age of 1 year) did not influence the occurrence of severe temporal hollowing. CONCLUSIONS: Fronto-supraorbital advancement was unable to achieve normal growth in the temporal region in a large proportion of patients, although more symmetry was achieved. The operative technique itself did not seem to influence the occurrence of temporal hollowing, nor did the timing of surgery.