ETIOPATHOGENESIS OF CRANIOFACIAL ANOMALIES

This article reviews the overall incidence of craniosynostotic anomali es and provides an overview of the developmental aspects of these malf ormations. Recent basic science investigations are examined, with part icular emphasis on new genetic approaches that hold the key to unlocki ng the causes and pathogenesis of craniofacial malformations. This inf ormation ultimately will provide surgeons with a better understanding of these anomalies and their classification, which has the potential t o improve surgical results.