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Craniofacial growth in shunt-treated hydrocephalics: a four-year roentgenocephalometric follow-up study
J A Huggare1, T Kantomaa, O Rönning
1Department of Oral Development, University of Oulu, Finland.
Insights
Shunt treatment for hydrocephalus in children aged 5-15 years led to slight craniofacial growth differences compared to controls. Key findings include increased calvarial thickness and cranial base flexure, suggesting long-term effects of shunt treatment.
Area of Science:
- Craniofacial Development
- Pediatric Neurosurgery
- Medical Device Research
Background:
- Hydrocephalus is a condition characterized by excess cerebrospinal fluid in the brain.
- Shunt systems are commonly used to treat hydrocephalus by draining excess fluid.
- Long-term effects of shunts on craniofacial growth require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the long-term craniofacial growth in pediatric patients treated with shunts for hydrocephalus.
- To compare cephalometric variables between shunt-treated patients and a matched control group.
- To determine if observed facial morphology deviations are attributable to shunt treatment.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal cephalometric analysis over 4 years in 24 shunt-treated hydrocephalic patients (aged 5-15).
- Comparison of linear and angular cephalometric variables with an age- and sex-matched control group.
- Assessment of calvarial thickness, cranial base flexure, sellar position, and gonial angle.
Main Results:
- Shunt-treated patients exhibited increased calvarial thickness.
- Increased cranial base flexure and superior displacement of the sella were observed.
- A tendency for a more obtuse gonial angle was noted in the shunt-treated group.
- Craniofacial growth differences between groups were minimal, suggesting long-term effects.
Conclusions:
- Craniofacial growth in shunt-treated hydrocephalic patients shows subtle but distinct differences from controls.
- Observed deviations in facial morphology are likely a long-term consequence of shunt treatment.
- These findings support the hypothesis that shunt interventions can influence craniofacial development over time.
Abstract:
The craniofacial growth of 24 shunt-treated hydrocephalics aged 5-15 years was evaluated over a 4-year period, by comparing changes in linear and angular cephalometric variables with those of an age- and sex-matched control group. The main findings were increased calvarial thickness, increased cranial base flexure, superior displacement of the sella, and a tendency for the gonial angle to remain more obtuse in the shunt-treated patients. As craniofacial growth in the latter differed only slightly from that observed in the controls, the deviations in facial morphology observed in a previous cross-sectional study of shunt-treated hydrocephalics can be taken to represent a long-term effect of the shunt treatment.