Craniosynostosis

Craniosynostosis is a medical condition in newborns wherein the sutures of two or more of the seven bones in the skull fuse prematurely. Apparent signs of this congenital deformity are the abnormal shape of the skull and/or forehead with possible asymmetry of the eyes and/or ears.

Dr. Boutros and Dr. Hall are plastic and craniofacial surgeons at Houston Plastic and Craniofacial Surgery, Houston, Texas, who can help correct this deformity and restore the normal appearance of the skull.

Types of Craniosynostosis and Treatment

An X-ray or CT scan helps to determine the type of craniosynostosis and allows the surgeons to properly diagnose individual conditions. The following are the four main types of craniosynostosis with treatment description:

• Metopic Synostosis – forms a narrow and triangular forehead with lateral pinching of temples. Surgical intervention is advised between the age of nine and eleven months in case the condition is quite obvious.


• Coronal Synostosis – deformities may include the eye, nose and forehead. Reconstructive surgery involves remodeling of the forehead and reshaping of the brows to achieve a natural and symmetrical appearance of the face. It is recommended between nine and twelve months of age.


• Sagittal Synostosis – the skull appears long and narrow with or without bulging of both the front and back of the head. Reconstruction involves removal of the suture and opening up the coronal and lambdoid sutures for widening the skull.


• Multiple Suture Synostosis – Multiple surgical techniques may be required to control intracranial pressure. This can otherwise affect the eyes and cause severe brain abnormalities. The techniques commonly include early fronto-orbital advancement surgery, early shunting and early monoblock advancement procedures.

Dr. Boutros and Dr. Hall of Houston Plastic and Craniofacial Surgery, Houston, Texas adopt the latest surgical techniques for craniosynostosis surgery and deliver the best results with little or no complications. They combine their expertise to provide the best aesthetic results for their patients. They provide you with the information you need to make the right choice for your child.

To find out more about cranial synostosis and whether your child is a candidate for the same, call 713-791-0700 to schedule a consultation.