Treatment of unilateral lambdoid synostosis with cranial distraction

J Craniofac Surg. 2004 Jul;15(4):609-13. doi: 10.1097/00001665-200407000-00015.

Abstract

The accurate diagnosis and treatment of posterior plagiocephaly have been a source of controversy. The unilateral lambdoid synostosis that is characterized by flattening of ipsilateral occipital bone is a rare type of craniosynostosis. An 8-month-old infant with unilateral lambdoid synostosis is reported. The patient exhibited right occipital flattening, mastoid bulge, and right frontal bone prominence, with the right auricle displaced anteroinferiorly on gross examination. A Towne projection radiograph of the skull and three-dimensional computed tomography scans revealed that the right lambdoid suture was prematurely fused. Correction of the cranial shape was performed using distraction osteogenesis combined with a barrel stave osteotomy. Significant improvement in the skull was observed 1 year after surgery.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Cranial Sutures / abnormalities
  • Cranial Sutures / diagnostic imaging
  • Craniosynostoses / diagnosis
  • Craniosynostoses / physiopathology
  • Craniosynostoses / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Occipital Bone / diagnostic imaging
  • Occipital Bone / physiopathology
  • Occipital Bone / surgery*
  • Osteogenesis, Distraction / methods*
  • Osteotomy / methods*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome