Craniosynostosis

Craniosynostosis (pronunciation: krā′nē-ō-sĭ-nŏ-stō′sĭs) is a medical condition in which the sutures in an infant's skull fuse prematurely, causing problems with normal brain and skull growth.

Etymology

The term "Craniosynostosis" is derived from the Greek words "krani" meaning skull, "syn" meaning together, and "ostosis" referring to the condition of the bone.

Symptoms

Symptoms of craniosynostosis may include a misshapen skull, a hard ridge along the affected sutures, and slow or no increase in the head size over time as the baby grows.

Causes

Craniosynostosis can occur as a result of genetic syndromes, such as Crouzon syndrome, Apert syndrome, and Pfeiffer syndrome, which affect the growth of the bones in the skull. It can also occur sporadically, with no known cause.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of craniosynostosis involves a physical examination, review of family history, and imaging tests such as X-rays or computed tomography (CT) scan.

Treatment

Treatment for craniosynostosis usually involves surgery to separate the fused sutures, allowing for normal growth of the skull and brain. The surgery is usually performed by a team of specialists in neurosurgery and plastic surgery.

Related Terms

• Suture (anatomy)
• Crouzon syndrome
• Apert syndrome
• Pfeiffer syndrome
• Neurosurgery
• Plastic surgery

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Craniosynostosis
• Wikipedia's article - Craniosynostosis

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