CRANIAL ASYMMETRIES - PLAGIOCEPHALIES - P REMATURE SUTURAL SYNOSTOSISOR EXTRACRANIAL OUTSET

The authors relate a clinical and radiological (X Ray and TDM tridimen sionnal) study with an anthropological (dry skulls) study of plagiocep haly. The aim is to find with the aid of a physical examination, some anatomic parameters which permit to differenciate cranial asymmetry wi th coronal premature synostotic suture from functionnal deformation wi th extracranial outset. The term plagiocephaly is used to define foreh ead asymetry. It is necessary to study orbital rim, nasal root, malar eminence, ear and chin mid point position. The morphology of the skull is important to look : frontal flattering and also occipital flatteri ng or bulging, contra-lateral frontal and pterional aera bulging. The authors conclude that a single parameter is necessary to differentiate the two kinds of plagiocephaly : the petrous bone position on the fla ttened frontal side: sagittalisation fonctionnal plagiocephaly; fronta lisation synostotic plagiocephaly.