The human skull often has a unique shape; for example, there are scaphocephalic and brachycephalic types of skulls. The former is elongated from front to back, while the latter is wider. However, an unusual skull shape in children is often the result of early fusion of the skull sutures. In Israel, various methods for correcting cranial anomalies are used.
Causes
Typically, this is associated with the closure of one of the skull sutures. According to statistics, cranial anomalies related to suture fusion occur in one out of every thousand children.
Symptoms of Cranial Anomalies
Craniosynostosis – fusion of the skull sutures can be diagnosed at an early age. In children who do not receive proper treatment, noticeable delays in psychomotor development occur. Cranial anomalies may become less noticeable but do not completely disappear. Children with such anomalies have less developed intelligence, and due to the unique shape of their skull, their facial proportions are affected. By school age, existing cranial anomalies may be accompanied by bite deformities, excessive bulging of the occipital area, and strabismus.
Diagnosis of Cranial Anomalies in Israel
In Israel, the most informative diagnosis is considered to be through computed tomography. Based on this, three-dimensional modeling of the skull and facial bones is performed. This study allows for the identification of associated brain pathology and the establishment of all problematic sutures. Early diagnosis of this anomaly is crucial; therefore, if there are any suspicions, it is better to send the child for additional examination.
Treatment of Cranial Anomalies in Israel
Doctors in Israel consider the optimal age for performing surgery to correct craniosynostosis to be between three and nine months. The most active growth of the brain occurs during the first two years of life. It is during this period that craniosynostosis can be successfully prevented.
Treatment at an early age offers a number of advantages:
- thin and soft cranial bones do not hinder the successful conduct of the surgery
- final modeling of the skull is possible with the growing brain
- good healing of bone defects.
After the age of five, surgery is most often cosmetic in nature and aimed at correcting skull deformities. Improvement of brain function at this age is quite doubtful. Modern surgery addresses two main issues - increasing the volume of the skull and correcting its shape.