Cloverleaf skull
Cloverleaf Skull
Cloverleaf skull, also known as Kleeblattschädel syndrome (pronounced: kleh-blaht-shay-del), is a rare congenital condition characterized by a complex craniosynostosis that results in a cloverleaf-shaped skull. The term "cloverleaf skull" is derived from the German "Kleeblattschädel", which translates to "cloverleaf head".
Etymology
The term "cloverleaf skull" is a direct translation of the German term "Kleeblattschädel". "Kleeblatt" is German for "cloverleaf", and "Schädel" is German for "skull". The condition was named for its distinctive cloverleaf shape, which is caused by the premature fusion of the cranial sutures.
Symptoms
The primary symptom of cloverleaf skull is a distinctive skull shape, which resembles a three-leaf clover when viewed from above. Other symptoms may include proptosis (bulging eyes), hydrocephalus (accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain), and developmental delay.
Causes
Cloverleaf skull is most commonly associated with Pfeiffer syndrome, a rare genetic disorder characterized by the premature fusion of certain skull bones. This premature fusion prevents the skull from growing normally and affects the shape of the head and face.
Treatment
Treatment for cloverleaf skull typically involves surgery to correct the shape of the skull and relieve pressure on the brain. This may be followed by additional surgeries to correct related abnormalities, such as those affecting the face and eyes.
Related Terms
- Craniosynostosis: A condition in which one or more of the fibrous sutures in an infant's skull prematurely fuses.
- Pfeiffer syndrome: A genetic disorder characterized by the premature fusion of certain skull bones, broad and short thumbs and big toes, and often partial syndactyly.
- Proptosis: Bulging of the eye anteriorly out of the orbit.
- Hydrocephalus: A condition in which an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid occurs within the brain.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Cloverleaf skull
- Wikipedia's article - Cloverleaf skull
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