Imaging modalities of craniosynostosis with surgical and pathological correlation

Premature fusion of the sutures of the skull has been extensively analyzed and several diagnostic imaging modalities have been proposed. Radiographic, scintigraphic and computed tomographic features of craniosynostosis have been reported. This study was initiated (a) to determine the value and accuracy of plain skull radiography, skull scintigraphy and cranial CT; and (b) to determine the optimal imaging modality for the evaluation of a clinically suspected craniosynostosis. The study is based on 36 patients with clinical suspicion of craniosynostosis who underwent craniectomy and cranioplasty. One hundred and three sutures were pathologically and/or surgically evaluated. The overall accuracy rate for skull radiography was 89%, skull scintigraphy, 66%, and cranial CT, 94%. Routine skull series are adequate in the majority of cases of craniosynostosis. Skull scintigraphy is less accurate, more costly, and has a limited role in the evaluation of craniosynostosis. Cranial CT should be reserved for those cases in which the findings in the routine skull series are not clearly positive or negative, or in cases of more complex craniofacial anomalies.