turricephaly
Pronunciation: tur-i-SEF-ah-lee
An abnormally high, tower-shaped skull resulting from premature suture fusion.
Full Definition
Turricephaly, also known as tower skull or acrocephaly, is a severe cranial deformity characterized by an abnormally high, peaked skull appearance. This condition typically results from premature fusion of multiple cranial sutures, particularly the coronal and sagittal sutures, forcing compensatory growth in the vertical direction. Turricephaly is often associated with increased intracranial pressure and may be seen in various syndromic conditions such as Crouzon syndrome or Apert syndrome. The condition requires urgent surgical intervention through extensive cranial vault reconstruction to reduce intracranial pressure and normalize skull shape. The term derives from Latin 'turris' meaning tower, reflecting the characteristic appearance.
Usage
Usage note: Often used interchangeably with oxycephaly, though some sources distinguish between them.
In Context
- "The patient's severe turricephaly required immediate surgical intervention to prevent neurological complications." — urgent consultation note
- "Postoperative imaging showed successful correction of the turricephaly with normalized cranial contours." — follow-up assessment