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58. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie e. V. (DGNC)

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie (DGNC) e. V.

26. bis 29.04.2007, Leipzig

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Ultrasound in the diagnosis of craniosynostosis

Ultraschall in der Diagnose der Kraniosynostose

Meeting Abstract

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  • corresponding author J. Regelsberger - Neurochirurgische Klinik, Universitätsklinikum Eppendorf, Hamburg
  • G. Delling - Osteopathologisches Institut, Universitätsklinikum Eppendorf, Hamburg
  • K. Helmke - Kinderradiologische Abteilung, Universitätsklinikum Eppendorf, Hamburg
  • M. Tsokos - Rechtsmedizinisches Institut, Universitätsklinikum Eppendorf, Hamburg
  • G. Kammler - Neurochirurgische Klinik, Universitätsklinikum Eppendorf, Hamburg
  • H. Kränzlein - Neurochirurgische Klinik, Universitätsklinikum Eppendorf, Hamburg
  • M. Westphal - Neurochirurgische Klinik, Universitätsklinikum Eppendorf, Hamburg

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie. 58. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie e.V. (DGNC). Leipzig, 26.-29.04.2007. Düsseldorf: German Medical Science GMS Publishing House; 2007. DocDO.06.02

The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at: http://www.egms.de/en/meetings/dgnc2007/07dgnc048.shtml

Published: April 11, 2007

© 2007 Regelsberger et al.
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/deed.en). You are free: to Share – to copy, distribute and transmit the work, provided the original author and source are credited.

Outline

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Objective: Diagnosis of craniosynostosis is based on clinical aspects but may be difficult in some cases where characteristic features are missing and radiographic imaging is necessary. In this context near-field high-frequency ultrasound has been used to evaluate the sonographic characteristics of synostotic sutures and its potential confirming the correct diagnosis.

Methods: Sutures of 26 infants, aged 2-7 months, were investigated by ultrasound (Siemens Elegra, 7.5MHz linear scanner). Sonographic features of synostotic sutures were correlated to CT-imaging and compared to the sonographic and histopathological findings of normal cranial sutures.

Results: Hyperechogenic bridging of sutures with or without ridging were the characteristic aspects of synostotic sutures. All 26 patients could be reliably diagnosed showing partial (n=21) or total fusion (n=5) of one or more sutures consisting with craniosynostosis. Length of synostosis was identified exactly by sonography and imaging found to enable a classification of ultrastructural details of bony and soft tissue next to the synostotic suture.

Conclusions: Ultrasound is a less expensive, non-radiating and easy to handle tool ensuring the diagnosis of craniosynostosis. Sonography offers the potential to be a standard investigation for infants with head deformities suspecting a suture pathology and has been therefore integrated in our craniofacial outpatient clinic as a daily routine method.