Sophie Jane Teager1, Sarah Constantine2, Nicolene Lottering3, Peter John Anderson4,3,5. 1. School of Dentistry`, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. sophie.teager@sa.gov.au. 2. Department of Medical Imaging, Women's and Children's Hospital, North Adelaide, Australia. 3. School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia. 4. School of Dentistry`, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. 5. Australian Craniofacial Unit, Adelaide, Australia.
Abstract
Metopic synostosis is a craniofacial condition characterised by the premature fusion of the metopic suture. This early fusion restricts frontal bone growth [17] and has significant impacts on the developing infant during a critical phase of rapid growth and development [4]. Diagnosis of the condition is usually achieved by clinical assessment, followed by a three-dimensional computed tomography (3D CT) scan, verifying premature metopic suture fusion. PURPOSE: This retrospective study aims to investigate the timing of metopic suture fusion in the developing infant in an Australian subpopulation. METHODS: The study evaluates metopic suture fusion in 258 cranial 3D CT scans of children aged 0-24 months over a 5-year period (2011-2016), scanned at Women's and Children's Hospital. RESULTS: The findings suggest that the age range over which physiologic metopic suture fusion occurs is larger than previously reported. CONCLUSIONS: The approximate range for physiologic fusion was found to be 3-19 months and patients with fusion within this range can be considered normal. Complete suture fusion is expected by 19 months. Additionally, results indicate suture fusion prior to 3 months is abnormal and diagnostically indicative of metopic synostosis.
Metopic synostosis is a craniofacial condition characterised by the premature fusion of the metopic suture. This early fusion restricts frontal bone growth [17] and has significant impacts on the developing infant during a critical phase of rapid growth and development [4]. Diagnosis of the condition is usually achieved by clinical assessment, followed by a three-dimensional computed tomography (3D CT) scan, verifying premature metopic suture fusion. PURPOSE: This retrospective study aims to investigate the timing of metopic suture fusion in the developing infant in an Australian subpopulation. METHODS: The study evaluates metopic suture fusion in 258 cranial 3D CT scans of children aged 0-24 months over a 5-year period (2011-2016), scanned at Women's and Children's Hospital. RESULTS: The findings suggest that the age range over which physiologic metopic suture fusion occurs is larger than previously reported. CONCLUSIONS: The approximate range for physiologic fusion was found to be 3-19 months and patients with fusion within this range can be considered normal. Complete suture fusion is expected by 19 months. Additionally, results indicate suture fusion prior to 3 months is abnormal and diagnostically indicative of metopic synostosis.
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