Calvarial deformity regeneration following subtotal craniectomy for craniosynostosis: a case report and theoretical implications

Abstract

We describe an infant with combined sagittal and unilateral coronal synostosis who underwent "total vault" craniectomy for skull reshaping. The operative procedure was interrupted without replacement of the calvarial bone grafts. Follow-up over the ensuing 2 months revealed regeneration of the entire cranium and supraorbital rims, as well as (in contrast to earlier reports) redevelopment of fusion within the suture at the same site noted in the initial operation, associated with similar skull deformity. These observations are reviewed with special emphasis on the theoretical implications for the etiology of craniosynostosis and skull deformity.