Ultrasound Diagnosis of Craniosynostosis

Abstract Objective: To retrospectively study prenatal ultrasound images of patients with craniosynostosis to determine the extent to which prenatal diagnosis is possible. Method: Prenatal ultrasound images of 19 patients with postnatally diagnosed metopic or coronal suture craniosynostosis were retrospectively reviewed. The 26 ultrasound examinations obtained were compared with normal images and tables of gestation. Results: It was not possible to diagnose craniosynostosis in the first trimester. In the second trimester, Kleeblattschadel was diagnosed at 20.5 weeks. A multilobular shape to the skull and diastasis of the frontotemporal suture was identified. In a second child with Kleeblattschadel, the cephalic index was above normal 86.4 (normal range 70 to 86), and the head circumference to abdominal circumference was increased. In the third trimester, the head shape deformation was more obvious. Brachycephaly diagnosis was made in the second trimester. In Crouzon syndrome the hypertelorism was identifie...