dolichocephaly
Pronunciation: dol-i-ko-SEF-ah-lee
An abnormally long and narrow skull shape, often requiring surgical intervention in severe cases.
Full Definition
Dolichocephaly refers to a skull deformity characterized by an abnormally elongated anteroposterior diameter relative to the width. This condition may be congenital or acquired and can result from premature fusion of the sagittal suture (sagittal craniosynostosis). In severe cases, surgical correction through cranial vault reconstruction may be necessary to normalize skull shape and prevent increased intracranial pressure. The condition is typically measured using the cephalic index, with values below 75 indicating dolichocephaly.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish from scaphocephaly, which specifically refers to the boat-shaped appearance.
In Context
- "The patient presented with moderate dolichocephaly requiring endoscopic strip craniectomy." — surgical consultation note
- "Postoperative imaging showed significant improvement in the dolichocephaly with normalized cephalic index." — follow-up report