Primary craniosynostosis: imaging features

In 1851, Virchow introduced the term craniosynostosis to describe a variety of abnormalities in calvarial growth. These skull deformities are usually apparent in infancy. When an abnormal calvarial configuration is detected, a radiologic evaluation is necessary to characterize the deformity and to guide the corrective surgical procedure. Affected children are believed to have an improved outcome when diagnosis and surgical intervention occur at an early age. CT with three-dimensional reconstruction optimally evaluates the presence and degree of sutural involvement and assesses associated facial and intracranial abnormalities. This pictorial essay illustrates the imaging findings, nomenclature, and associated abnormalities of the various types of primary craniosynostosis.