Scaphocephaly

SAGITTAL CRANIOSYNOSTOSIS


Our multi-disciplinary neuroscience team can diagnose and treat scaphocephaly in your child, using advanced techniques

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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.

Our Scaphocephaly locations

London Neurosurgery Partnership

London Neurosurgery Partnership

78 Harley Street W1G 7HJ London
The Harley Street Clinic

The Harley Street Clinic

35 Weymouth Street W1G 8BJ London
The Portland Hospital

The Portland Hospital

205-209 Great Portland Street W1W 5AH London
The Lister Hospital

The Lister Hospital

Chelsea Bridge Road, SW1W 8RH London
The Shard Outpatients

The Shard Outpatients

The Shard, 32 St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
London Bridge Hospital

London Bridge Hospital

27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London

Patient stories

This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.