Craniosynostosis Diagnosis and Management

Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis

The diagnosis of skull malformations and cranial suture anomalies is primarily clinical, not radiographic, according to the American College of Radiology 1
Head circumference measurements are an essential part of the clinical examination, as recommended by the American Association of Neurological Surgeons 3

Direct X-ray imaging is not indicated as a routine examination for fontanelle abnormalities, as stated by the European Society of Radiology 1
Ultrasound examination is often sufficient for suspected anomalies of the cranial sutures and anterior fontanelle, according to the European Society of Radiology 1
Advanced imaging (CT/MRI) should be reserved for cases where clinical examination is equivocal, as recommended by the Congress of Neurological Surgeons 3
Advanced imaging (CT/MRI) should also be used for treatment planning for confirmed craniosynostosis, as stated by the American College of Radiology 1, 2

Syndromic craniosynostosis (such as Crouzon syndrome) may present with more subtle findings initially, as noted by the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics 5