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Skull base growth in craniosynostosis

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Abstract

Introduction

The interrelationship of skull base growth and craniosynostosis is one that is not often taken into account in the clinical management of patients with craniofacial disorders by neurosurgeons and craniofacial surgeons. Very early on in our medical training we are taught the anatomical differences between the calvarial unit and skull base portion of the skull. The inherent differences in both underlying tissue components and the different growth characteristics of these two uniquely different structures are critical in understanding skull base growth in craniosynostosis and the inherent potential craniofacial growth in these unique children.

Review

This paper will review some of the basic anatomy of these zones of growth plus review some of the prevalent theories of the effect of skull base growth on craniosynostosis and the converse.

Conclusion

While the theories of these growth patterns have yet to be finalized an understanding of their potential influences and abnormal growth patterns remain key to providing a good surgical outcome in surgery for craniosynostosis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Children’s Hospital at Montefiore, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 111 East 210th Street, Bronx, NY, 10467, USA

    James Tait Goodrich

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  1. James Tait Goodrich
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Correspondence to James Tait Goodrich.

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Goodrich, J.T. Skull base growth in craniosynostosis. Childs Nerv Syst 21, 871–879 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-004-1113-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-004-1113-1

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