SAGITTAL SYNOSTOSIS - QUANTITATIVE ASSESSMENT OF PRESENTING DEFORMITYAND SURGICAL RESULTS BASED ON CT SCANS

We reviewed our experience with nine consecutive patients with untreat ed isolated nonsyndromic sagittal synostosis. Using a method of 14 cli nically relevant measurements taken from preoperative and postoperativ e CT scan images of these patients, we documented their presenting ske letal dysmorphology and the results of surgical correction at least 1 year after operation. Significant preoperative findings included an el ongated cranial vault length that averaged 103 percent of normal and a narrowed cranial vault width both anteriorly at 92 percent and poster iorly at 86 percent of normal. Results of surgical correction, as docu mented by CT scan measurements, included normalization of the cranial length to 100 percent and of the anterior width to 101 percent of norm al and improvement (but undercorrection) of the posterior width to 94 percent of normal. Quantitative measurement of CT scan images confirme d clinically observed findings in these patients before suture release and reconstruction and proved useful in assessing the surgical result s achieved.