OCULAR FINDINGS IN TRIGONOCEPHALY

Background: Trigonocephaly, caused by premature closure of the metopic suture, is a rare form of craniosynostosis. The aim of this study was to assess the visual outcome in children operated on for trigonocepha ly. Methods: We present eight cases of children with trigonocephaly su rgically corrected by the same craniofacial technique. CT with 3D reco nstruction was performed in all cases. Genitori defined three types of trigonocephaly according to the severity of the deformity of the skul l base only types II and III were included in this study directed at e valuation of the ocular disorder. A complete eye examination was perfo rmed on all children by the same observer, with a followup of 2-6 year s. Results: 3D-CTreconstruction of the skull base showed that the fron tozygomatic region was affected by the deformation. Ocular examination showed considerable astigmatism in most children with late operation. A low degree of strabismus was observed in most children. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that reconstructive surgery should be perform ed by the age of 6 months, given the immaturity of the visual system u p to that time. Close cooperation between neurosurgeons, pediatricians and ophthalmologists is of paramount importance in order to prevent t his bone deformation exerting an adverse effect on visual development. The ophthalmologist must possess a basic understanding of the various craniosynostoses.