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Maxillary volume growth in craniosynostosis.
Richard J Langford1, Spyros Sgouros, Kalyan Natarajan
1Department of Craniofacial Surgery and Institute of Child Health, Birmingham Children's Hospital, United Kingdom.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
|March 26, 2003
Summary
Children with craniosynostosis have smaller midface volumes, particularly in early infancy. Maxillary volumes in these patients show catch-up growth, approaching normal ranges over time.
Area of Science:
- Craniofacial Surgery
- Pediatric Radiology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Craniosynostosis, especially craniofacial dysostosis, involves nasomaxillary complex abnormalities.
- Understanding midface development in craniosynostosis is crucial for surgical planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantitatively assess maxillary volume abnormalities in craniosynostosis patients at diagnosis.
- To compare maxillary volumes in affected children with a normal reference range.
Main Methods:
- 31 children (1-34 months) with coronal suture craniosynostosis underwent preoperative CT scans.
- Segmentation techniques were used to calculate maxillary volumes.
- Maxillary volumes were analyzed against age and compared to healthy controls.
Main Results:
- Mean maxillary volumes were statistically smaller in the craniosynostosis group compared to norms.
- No significant sex-based differences in maxillary volume were observed.
- Maxillary volumes were smaller at birth but showed catch-up growth towards normal ranges by 7-17 months, depending on synostosis type.
Conclusions:
- Craniosynostosis impacts midface development from birth, similar to cranial vault effects.
- The midface shows a compensatory growth pattern in response to craniosynostosis.
- Early diagnosis and monitoring of maxillary volume are important in managing craniosynostosis.