The early recognition of premature cranial synostosis.

Abstract

The characteristic roentgen findings in a child with a fully developed craniostenosis are known to most radiologists. These older children have misshapen heads and various neurological disorders, and the roentgenographic picture is typi cal. For example, closure of all the sutures gives rise to oxycephaly. Such a case is shown in Figure 1. The patient was a female of two and one-half years who was admitted because of a peculiarly shaped skull and a severe exophthalmos. Her vision was already impaired, and she was mentally retarded. The roentgenograms reveal closure of all the sutures. The skull has a turricephalic contour, indicating that the region of the anterior fontanel was probably the last to close. The digital markings are increased; the floor of the middle fossa is depressed and bulges forward. Another fully developed case of premature cranial synostosis is shown in Figure 2. This patient was a three-year-old female who also had a peculiarly shaped skull. At the time of admission her mentality was...