Occurs when the sutures of the skull close prematurally. It can involve one or more sutures and can present with a wide range of head shapes depending on the sutures affected and the extent of fusion. The most common presentation is when only a single suture, most commonly the sagittal suture, is involved. 

Surgical intervention by reopening the sutures aims to return the cranium to a shape within normal range and reduce the risk of raised intracranial pressure allowing the brain to grow without the skull. 

Link to Jo Tangs Presentation

Case examples

A dermoid cyst is sac-like growth located on or in the skin. It contains fluid or semisolid material. Dermoid cysts occur during fetal development and are typically present at, or shortly after, birth. A dermoid cyst is benign and often found on the skull or face.

We perform CT on these patients to evaluate if the cyst has any intracranial or intraorbital extension. This may change the management of the cyst removal and what teams need to be involved (plastics or neurosurgery)

Important tip for scanning: Ask parent to show you where the dermoid is prior to scanning so you know it's exact location. This helps to avoid over scanning. If it is small it may be hard to see on the topogram. In those cases, we can place a fish oil tablet onto the patient at the dermoid location and include that in the scan as a localiser for the mass (5, 6)

Hydrocephalus is a term used to describe several different problems that cause cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to build up in or around the brain or to drain improperly. This causes the brain’s ventricles to enlarge.

This can happen if:

• a blockage in the brain’s anatomy stops the fluid from flowing as it should

• a hemorrhage or infection causes scarring within the fluid’s pathways

• a tumor, cyst, or other mass blocks the normal pathways for fluid

• a patient has an abnormal pathway to drain CSF

This can be acquired or a congenital