Motion of bones and volume changes in the neurocranium after craniectomy in Crouzon's disease

Abstract

Craniectomy was performed on a boy with Crouzon''s disease at 22 mo. of age. Metallic implants (Ta balls, 0.5 mm in diameter) were inserted in the calvaria during surgery, and the child was examined postoperatively by roentgen stereometry at intervals of about 100 days (total observation time, 309 days). The thyroid radiation dose was 250 .mu.Gy for 1 examination. The effect of craniectomy was recorded with a high degree of accuracy in terms of motion of bones and volume changes in the calvaria. Expansion occurred almost entirely through motion of free bone flaps in the frontal region, while a linear craniectomy in the region of the sagittal suture caused small changes. The rate of expansion decreased rapidly and stabilization was recorded about 250 days after surgery.