Jack’s mother Jaime noticed his shoulder blades were slightly uneven in March 2020, at the start of the UK COVID-19 lockdown. After being faced with a long wait for a referral, a chance recommendation led Jaime to turn to The Portland Hospital. Here Jaime shares their story and explain why this surgery was so important.
Trigonocephaly
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Trigonocephaly at HCA UK
Why choose us?
From everyday concerns to complex conditions, we're here for you, your child, and the rest of your family, with a timely diagnosis, a fast track to expert care, and treatment in a state-of-the-art hospital.
No two children are the same, and every child receives fully personalised care and support. With 300+ nursing specialists and clinical professionals working alongside leading consultants, your child will have an entire team of experts dedicated to giving them the treatment they need based on their unique needs.
Our patients' care and safety are our top priorities. And our clinical infrastructure, which includes paediatric and neonatal intensive care units (NICU) means we are able to care for patients no matter how complex their needs.
No two children are the same, and every child receives fully personalised care and support. With 300+ nursing specialists and clinical professionals working alongside leading consultants, your child will have an entire team of experts dedicated to giving them the treatment they need based on their unique needs.
Our patients' care and safety are our top priorities. And our clinical infrastructure, which includes paediatric and neonatal intensive care units (NICU) means we are able to care for patients no matter how complex their needs.
When a baby is born, the bone plates in their skull aren't yet joined together. As they grow, the plates gradually fuse together, helped along by natural seams called sutures. However, sometimes, the plates start to fuse too early. This is called craniosynostosis, and one common form of this is known as trigonocephaly.
If the metopic suture, which runs from the top of your baby's skull to the top of their nose, fuses before they are born, your baby's head may appear narrow or triangular in shape. If your baby has trigonocephaly, it's often noticeable from the moment they are born. While it may be concerning, it can be treated with surgery to help reshape your child's skull if the condition is caught at a very early age.
If the metopic suture, which runs from the top of your baby's skull to the top of their nose, fuses before they are born, your baby's head may appear narrow or triangular in shape. If your baby has trigonocephaly, it's often noticeable from the moment they are born. While it may be concerning, it can be treated with surgery to help reshape your child's skull if the condition is caught at a very early age.
While it is unclear what causes trigonocephaly, some genetic disorders are often associated with the condition. These include:
- Baller-Gerold Syndrome: A rare genetic disorder that causes abnormal skull and limb bone growth
- Jacobsen Syndrome: A chromosomal disorder that occurs when there is a deletion of genetic material from chromosome 11
- Muenke Syndrome: A disorder that can make the skull bone plates close prematurely
- Opitz Syndrome: A condition that can lead to facial abnormalities, heart defects and other physical problems
- Say-Meyer Syndrome: A disorder that is linked to the X chromosome and can result in developmental delay and other physical and mental abnormalities
The symptoms of trigonocephaly include:
- A pointed or triangular-shaped forehead
- Development of a bony ridge from the top of the skull to the top of the nose
- Your child's eyes seem closer to each other than you might expect
- Delays in development, such as taking longer than usual to reach milestones
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The only UK private hospital dedicated to treating women and children
9
level 3 intensive care beds for the highest levels of care
40,000+
babies, children and young people cared for each year
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Trigonocephaly tests and scans at HCA UK
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Trigonocephaly treatments at HCA UK
If your baby's trigonocephaly is spotted at birth or in their early years, your consultant may recommend skull-reshaping surgery.
This can be carried out via endoscopic surgery, a minimally invasive form of surgery in which a neurosurgeon removes part of your baby's skull through a thin tube called an endoscope. Traditional reconstructive surgery can also help to unlock the bones and reshape your child's skull.
The length of recovery depends on the surgery and the age and health of your child. Most children need to stay in hospital for three to five days after cranial surgery.
If your child is diagnosed later in life with one or more developmental delays, we can create a personalised treatment plan to support them in other ways. Our tailored care for trigonocephaly includes a range of neurological, speech therapy, occupational therapy and sensory integration programmes.
Accessing private health care
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance for your child to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all of our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And we’ll give you a clear and transparent quote from the start, outlining exactly what’s included in your self-pay package.
Trigonocephaly FAQs
You're welcome to visit our HCA Healthcare UK outpatient centres at The Portland Hospital with your child. Our paediatric acute neurological rehabilitation unit is also based there. You can also visit our paediatricians at our clinics in Chiswick Outpatients, Golders Green Outpatients, Elstree Waterfront Outpatients or at The Shard Outpatients.
In our experience, working in collaborative, multi-disciplinary teams deliver the best possible clinical and rehabilitation outcomes for the children in our care. Our consultants are specialists in a range of skills: expert neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuroradiologists, physiotherapists and clinical nurse specialists.
By coming together, they can provide the treatment and wrap-around support your child may need.
In our experience, working in collaborative, multi-disciplinary teams deliver the best possible clinical and rehabilitation outcomes for the children in our care. Our consultants are specialists in a range of skills: expert neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuroradiologists, physiotherapists and clinical nurse specialists.
By coming together, they can provide the treatment and wrap-around support your child may need.
No, not every case of trigonocephaly affects brain development. Mild cases often do not cause any development concerns. Severe cases can lead to pressure on the brain, but early assessment and treatment can help reduce the risk.
Yes, babies with trigonocephaly will require follow-up care to monitor skull growth, brain development and overall health. If your baby undergoes surgery, your specialist may recommend developmental assessments and routine check-ups, but they will make this clear to you.
While most cases are not hereditary, some can be associated with genetic syndromes. If you have any concerns, your specialist will be able to answer any questions you may have to help put your mind at ease.
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Rhiannon was an active 14-year-old girl. When she occasionally complained to her parents about aches and pains in her back, there was no reason to think it was anything more sinister than sore muscles from one of her dance classes, or something she’d pulled while horse riding.
“My mum and I were overwhelmed with the level of care I received at The Portland Hospital and The Harley Street Clinic. We felt so safe and cared for.”
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This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.