Comparing Caliper versus Computed Tomography Measurements of Cranial Dimensions in Children

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS We have found no study assessing the accuracy of caliper cranium measurements compared to computed tomography (CT) measurements of the head. The objective of this study was to assess the reliability of caliper measurements in comparison to CT measurements. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective chart review. METHODS This study includes all patients evaluated for head shape abnormality between 2010 and 2019 at a single academic medical center. Eighty-nine patients who had CT head scans were identified, and their caliper measurements of anterior-posterior and transverse head dimensions were documented. RESULTS There was no statistically significant difference between the CT and caliper measurements. CONCLUSION Caliper measurements are a simple and reliable way to assess cranial vault proportionality with growth after cranial vault reconstruction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 4 Laryngoscope, 2020.