Craniosynostosis Surgery, Sagittal Craniosynostosis, Coronal Craniosynostosis, Metopic Craniosynostosis, Lambdoidal Craniosynostosis - University Health System, San Antonio, Texas

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Classes/Types of Craniosynostosis

Sagittal (SAJ-ut-ul)

The sagittal suture is located on top of the head extending from the soft spot to the back of the head. This is the most common type of craniosynostosis, occurring in three to five infants of every 1,000 live births. This is also most commonly found in males. Because the brain cannot grow or expand sideways, it is forced to grow forward and backward leading to the forehead protrusion, narrowing of the temples and an elongated head. This condition is known as scaphocephaly (SKAF-o-Sef-a-lee).

View video animation of the treatment Sagittal Suture Synostosis

Coronal (co-RO-nul)

The coronal suture is located on the side of the head extending from the soft spot to the area in front of the ear. Premature closure leads to a condition known as anterior plagiocephaly (PLAY-gee-o-SEF-a-lee) which can cause the baby's foreward to flatten on the affected side. Also, elevation of the eye socket, known as vertical dystopia (vert-i-kel dis-to-pe-ah) on the involved side, a deviated nose and a slanted skull can occur. If untreated, it may lead to loss of vision on the affected side amblyopia (am-ble-o-pe-ah).

View video animation of the treatment Coronal Suture Synostosis

Metopic (mih-TOP-ick)

Located between the soft spot and the root of the nose, the metopic suture allows the forehead to grow normally and the eye sockets to separate appropriately. Early closure of the suture leads to a condition known as trigonocephaly (try-GO-no-SEF-a-lee) which causes the children to have pointed foreheads, midline ridge, triangularly shaped skull, and eyes that seem to be too close together known as hypoteleroism (hi-po-tel-o-rizm). Compensatory brain growth takes place posteriorally leading to a protruded prominent back of the skull.

View video animation of the treatment Metopic Suture Synostosis

Lambdoidal (lam-DOID-ul)

Premature closure of the lambdoid suture (lam-DOID) is the least common of all and has been frequently confused with positional molding of the head. Closure leads to posterior plagiocephalus (PLAY-gee-o-SEF-a-lee) with flattening of the back of the head on the affected side, protrusion of the mastoid bone and lowering of the affected ear. It may also cause the skull to tilt sideways.