Unilateral craniosynostosis of the frontosphenoidal suture: a case report and a review of literature

Abstract

Introduction: Frontal plagiocephaly, a rare congenital deformation of the skull, is one of the most complicated forms of craniosynostosis to treat. The difference between deformational and synostotic frontal plagiocephaly is small. Moreover, the visible deformations are sometimes misleading and may lead to a treatment delay. A multislice CT scan with 3D reconstruction is the preferred diagnostic tool to differentiate between craniosynostosis and deformational causes of plagiocephaly. Still, meticulous examination of all sutures is necessary to exclude any form of craniosynostosis and to prevent misdiagnosis.

Aim: A case is presented of a 1-month-old boy with a progressive deformation of the left forehead, which was caused by a stenosis of the left frontosphenoidal suture.

Methods: Surgical treatment consisted of a left fronto-orbital advancement. Furthermore, 3D stereophotogrammetry was used for long term follow up, which showed normalisation of the growth pattern of the skull.

Conclusion: Isolated frontosphenoidal suture synostosis is a rare cause of frontal plagiocephaly with its own distinct clinical features. Accordingly, careful assessment of a 3D CT scan may reduce treatment delay. Furthermore, 3D stereophotogrammetry proved to be a radiation-free non-invasive patient-friendly method for long term follow up of a child with a skull deformation.