[Vertical strabismus in plagiocephaly]

Plagiocephaly is cranial synostosis caused by premature closure of one half of the coronal suture. It is manifested by asymmetry of the face of a varying degree with vertical strabismus on the affected side and tilting of the head to the sound side. The vertical deviation imitates ocular torticollis, there are, however, no signs of paresis nor a positive Bielschowski test. Treatment involves early opening of the coronal synostosis or later at least treatment of vertical strabismus. The authors operated successfully a 14-year-old girl with medium grade plagiocephaly. They describe the preoperative and postoperative state. The authors recommend, in case of asymmetry of the face and vertical strabismus, to consider the possible diagnosis of this anomaly.