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Identification of skull base sutures and craniofacial anomalies in children with craniosynostosis: utility of multidetector CT

  • Paediatric Radiology
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose

Craniosynostosis is a condition characterised by the premature fusion of one or more of the cranial sutures. The aim of the study was to identify, by multidetector computed tomography (CT), the involvement of vault sutures as well as of the skull base sutures (named “minor” sutures). The latter ones are involved in development of craniofacial and skull base deformities.

Materials and methods

We retrospectively reviewed 27 children with complex synostosis (n = 21) and anterior synostotic plagiocephaly (n = 6). High-resolution CT images with bone definition algorithm and tridimensional volume rendering reconstructions were assessed.

Results

In 27 children we found different sutures involved in the synostotic process, including both major and minor skull suture synostosis, and synostosis of synchondroses. Superior orbital rim deformity, nasal root deviation, anterior endocranial axis deviation (ethmoidal axis) are found in children with coronal arch synostosis, while reduced size of the posterior fossa and Chiari 1 malformation are noted in children with lambdoid arch synostosis.

Conclusions

High-resolution CT allows an accurate identification of both “major” and “minor” skull base suture synostosis and it represents the gold standard for the diagnosis of craniostenosis and for planning the proper surgical approach.

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Conflict of interest

R Calandrelli, G. D’Apolito, S. Gaudino MD, M.C. Sciandra, M. Caldarelli, C. Colosimo declare no conflict of interests.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Radiology, Università Cattolica Sacro Cuore, L.go A. Gemelli 8, 00168, Rome, Italy

    Rosalinda Calandrelli, Gabriella D’Apolito, Simona Gaudino, Maria Carmela Sciandra, Massimo Caldarelli & Cesare Colosimo

  2. Institute of Neurosurgery, Università Cattolica Sacro Cuore, L.go A. Gemelli 8, 00168, Rome, Italy

    Simona Gaudino & Massimo Caldarelli

Authors
  1. Rosalinda Calandrelli
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  2. Gabriella D’Apolito
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  3. Simona Gaudino
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  4. Maria Carmela Sciandra
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  5. Massimo Caldarelli
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  6. Cesare Colosimo
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rosalinda Calandrelli.

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Calandrelli, R., D’Apolito, G., Gaudino, S. et al. Identification of skull base sutures and craniofacial anomalies in children with craniosynostosis: utility of multidetector CT. Radiol med 119, 694–704 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11547-014-0387-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11547-014-0387-y

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