Photos and Text Source: Hellenic Craniofacial Center (HCC). HCC was founded by the late Dr. Alexander Stratoudakis and is directed by Dr. Costas Alexandrou, Craniofacial Surgeon, Member of the Cyprus Center for Cleft and Facial Deformities, MEDICLEFT.
Plagiocephaly
Plagiocephaly is a term used for the description of the asymmetric formation of the skull and is divided into two categories: forehead plagiocephaly and occipital plagiocephaly.
Frontal Plagiocephaly
The term frontal plagiocephaly describes the creep and the asymmetry of the forehead due to premature closure (early synostosis) of the left or the right side of the coronary suture.
The characteristics are as follow:
On the side of the problem the forehead is wide (flat) or even hollow.
The base of the nose is drawn to the affected side.
The ocular orbit rises relatively to the orbit of the opposite side.
The eyebrow is usually at a higher position.
The ear also moves more to the front.
On the opposite side the forehead rises more, a phenomenon caused by the pressure that is exerted by the brain in an effort to ensure the necessary space for its development.
Diagnosis is necessary to be done during the first months of infancy, because confronting frontal synosteotic plagiocephaly synostosis is always surgical and ideally should be done by the sixth to the twelfth month, in order to ensure the best possible benefits.
The deformity that is considered of minor importance by many parents, is actually developing into a serious problem, because as time passes it deteriorates and at an older age the surgical correction is considerably harder.
The treatment of frontal plagiocephaly is performed by a surgical TEAM specialising in craniofacial problems. In this case the craniofacial plastic surgeon collaborates with the neurosurgeon.
Occipital plagiocephaly
Occipital plagiocephaly is the creep and the asymmetry of the posterior part of the head (parietal part). Most cases of occipital plagiocephaly are due to the external pressure on the skull (endometrial or after birth), while a small percentage is due to premature closure (synostosis) of the lambdoid suture. The treatment of occipital plagiocephaly from premature synostosis of lambdoid suture is surgery.
If you have any questions or need additional information about the treatment of facial deformities, please contact + 357 25735050 or send us an e-mail at info@medicleft.com.
The TEAM of Scientists of the Cyprus Center for Clefts and Facial Deformities, MEDICLEFT, is at your disposal.
Photos and Text Source: Hellenic Craniofacial Center (HCC). HCC was founded by the late Dr. Alexander Stratoudakis and is directed by Dr. Costas Alexandrou, Craniofacial Surgeon, Member of the Cyprus Center for Cleft and Facial Deformities, MEDICLEFT.