Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
Scaphocephaly
SAGITTAL CRANIOSYNOSTOSIS
Our multi-disciplinary neuroscience team can diagnose and treat scaphocephaly in your child, using advanced techniques
About
Caphocephaly is where the sagittal suture — the dense connective tissue joint between two main plates of skull bone — fuses before birth. This can lead to the skull being long from front to back but narrow from side-to-side. Normally, the sagittal suture fuses as we grow older. Some forms of scaphocephaly can be genetic.
Need to know
A bony ridge over the sagittal suture is the main symptoms of sacrocephaly. Babies also have a prominent forehead and the back of head is prominent too. Children between the ages of three and five may also have increased intracranial pressure. Speech and language delay is another associated problem. This can be overcome with the help of a therapist.
Your consultant will discuss your child's symptoms with you and help to make a diagnosis. Scaphocephaly can be apparent from the child's appearance, so your consultant will examine your child carefully. If they think the child has scaphocephaly, they may order imaging tests to monitor bone development before and after treatment. Tests may include x-rays or CT scans — both display a clear picture of your child's skull.
Your consultant will discuss your treatment options with you and help to determine the best approach for your child. Skull-reshaping surgery is often used to correct scaphocephaly. A team of neurosurgeons (brain), craniofacial surgeons (face) and ophthalmologists (eye specialists) will reshape your baby's skull through open surgery. This may take a number of procedures and usually happens in the first few months of life. If your child has problems with speech delay, a speech therapist will provide therapy.
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.