Professional
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
craniosynostosis
Pronunciation: kray-nee-oh-sin-oh-STO-sis
Premature fusion of skull sutures in infants, often requiring surgical correction.
Full Definition
Craniosynostosis is a condition where one or more of the fibrous sutures in an infant's skull prematurely fuse, restricting normal brain growth and causing abnormal head shape. The condition can be syndromic (associated with other anomalies) or non-syndromic (isolated). Surgical treatment typically involves craniotomy and cranial vault reconstruction, often performed within the first year of life to allow proper brain development and improve cosmetic outcomes.
Usage
Usage note: Plural form is craniosynostoses, not craniosynostosis.
In Context
- "The infant was diagnosed with sagittal craniosynostosis requiring early surgical intervention." — Pediatric neurosurgery consultation
- "CT scan confirmed unilateral coronal craniosynostosis with associated plagiocephaly." — Imaging interpretation
Also known as
premature suture fusion
Contrasted with
cranium bifidum
Don't confuse with
craniosynostoses
craniostenosis