Type:
Educational Exhibit
Keywords:
Diagnostic procedure, MR, CT, Conventional radiography, Paediatric, Bones, Congenital
Authors:
M. S. C. Sousa1, J. Tavares2, A. F. Geraldo2, D. Rodrigues2, S. Reimao2, G. Sa2; 1Atouguia da Baleia/PT, 2Lisbon/PT
DOI:
10.1594/ecr2012/C-2566
Conclusion
A radiology report is in many respects the single most important factor used to determine patient management namely pre-surgical planning.
It should therefore assess and contain all the information pertinent for treatment purposesincluding:
- Endorsement of the diagnosis
- Extent (partial versus complete) of suture ossification.
- Patency of the other cranial sutures
- Measurements,
such as the bitemporal length,
AP dimension,
cephalic index,
intercanthal distance
- Areas of calvarial thinning (Luckenschaedel)
- Associated anomalies of mid/lower face or midline malformations
- Hydrocephalus
- Abnormalities of venous drainage.
Craniosynostosis is a common condition in the pediatric age group,
which may be either isolated or present as part of a craniofacial syndrome with significant implications if undiagnosed.
Plain films are used as a first imaging modality,
although CT with 3D reconstructed images is valuable when radiograph results are equivocal,
prior to surgical correction or in multiple or syndromic craniosynostosis.
Radiologists should be familiar with the characteristic imaging features,
the optimal CT technique,
and fundamental points that have to be assessed in radiology reports for proper patient orientation.