Complete Resolution of Papilledema in Syndromic Craniosynostosis with Posterior Cranial Vault Distraction

Changes in venous drainage after posterior cranial vault distraction and foramen magnum decompression in syndromic craniosynostosis

OBJECTIVE

The authors' objective was to measure the effect of posterior cranial vault distraction (PCVD) plus foramen magnum decompression (FMD) on dural sinus volume and venous flow in patients with syndromic craniosynostosis.

METHODS

The volumes of the sagittal, straight, transverse, and sigmoid sinuses of 5 consecutive patients with syndromic craniosynostosis who underwent PCVD+FMD were calculated in cubic centimeters with T2-weighted volumetric MRI sequences before surgery, immediately after surgery, and after the end of the distraction process. Tridimensional reconstructions of phase-contrast magnetic resonance angiography (PC-MRA) images were obtained with multiplanar reconstruction (MPR).

RESULTS

The average total volume of all dural sinuses increased immediately after surgery (from 10.06 cm3 to 12.64 cm3) and continued to increase throughout the 30-day distraction period (from 12.64 cm3 to 14.71 cm3) (p = 0.04), except that the right sigmoid sinus remained stable after the initial increase. The most important increases were observed for the left transverse sinus (+113.2%), right transverse sinus (+104.3%), left sigmoid sinus (+91.3%), and sagittal sinus (+41.8%). Less important modifications were evident for the right sigmoid sinus (+33.7%) and straight sinus (+23.4%). Significant improvements in venous flow were noted on the tridimensional reconstructions of the PC-MRA images. Venous obstruction grading score improved in 4 patients (average [range] 2.4 [ 2-5]) (p = 0.023) and remained stable in 1 patient. All patients had chronic tonsillar herniation (CTH) (mean [range] 16.6 [8-26] mm), and 3 had syringomyelia. CTH showed improvement on the last follow-up MRI evaluation in 4 patients (mean [range] 10.5 [0-25] mm) and worsened from 15 mm to 19 mm in 1 patient. Syringomyelia improved in 2 patients and remained unchanged in 1.

CONCLUSIONS

This study has provided the first radiological evidence of the impact of craniofacial surgery on dural sinus anatomy and venous drainage. The venous anomalies described in patients with syndromic craniosynostosis are not static, and PCVD+FMD triggers a dynamic process that can lead to significant modifications of intracranial venous drainage. The traction exerted by the distracted bone flap onto the occipitoparietal dura mater adherent to the inner calvaria may account for the enlargement of the dural sinus throughout the distraction period. The impact of these modifications on venous pressure, intracranial pressure, CTH, and hydrocephalus remains to be determined.

Behavioral, Learning Skills, and Visual Improvement in Crouzon Syndrome Patient Following Late Posterior Vault Distraction Osteogenesis

BACKGROUND

It is well accepted among craniofacial surgeons that surgery does not improve mental status but does prevent worsening or deterioration of cognitive and mental function. In this report, we describe significant improvement in behavioral, learning skills and visual acuity for a Crouzon patient who underwent late posteriorvault distraction osteogenesis.

METHODS

A 9-year-old Crouzon patient was referred to our hospital, presenting severe intracranial hypertension. The patient had previously undergone a strip craniectomy in early infancy at another medical institution, but there was no subsequent follow-up. Magnetic resonance imaging showed Chiari type I malformation and fundoscopy revealed papilledema. At the time of referral, the patient was not attending a regular school, had not acquired reading skills, was unable to concentrate, and could not accomplish school-related tasks that were standard for children in his age group.

RESULTS

The patient underwent posterior vault distraction osteogenesis and showed concentration improvement and acquisition of fluent reading skills. Chiari type I malformation resolved as well as papilledema. visual acuity improved at Snellen test preoperatively from 20/200 to 20/60 at postoperative test. Ventricle size remained unchanged subsequent to performance of the posterior cranial vault distraction. The occipital veins were less visible upon clinical examination and less pronounced when palpated, and the bruit had completely disappeared.

CONCLUSION

Late posterior vault distraction osteogenesis can improve behavioral, learning skills and visual acuity as shown in this 9-year-old Crouzon patient.

Non-traumatic pediatric intracranial hypertension: key points for different etiologies, diagnosis, and treatment

Intracranial hypertension can be an acute life-threatening event or slowly deteriorating condition, leading to a gradual loss of neurological function. The diagnosis should be taken in a timely fashioned process, which mandates expedite measures to save brain function and sometimes life. An optimal management strategy is selected according to the causative etiology with a core treatment paradigm that can be utilized in various etiologies. Distinct etiologies are intracranial bleeds caused by traumatic brain injury, spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage (e.g., neonatal intraventricular hemorrhage), or the rare pediatric hemorrhagic stroke. The other primary pediatric etiologies for elevated intracranial pressure are intracranial mass (e.g., brain tumor) and hydrocephalus related. Other unique etiologies in the pediatric population are related to congenital diseases, infectious diseases, metabolic or endocrine crisis, and idiopathic intracranial pressure. One of the main goals of treatment is to alleviate the growing pressure and prevent the secondary injury to brain parenchyma due to inadequate blood perfusion and eventually inadequate parenchymal oxygenation and metabolic state. Previous literature discussed essential characteristics of the treatment paradigm derived mainly from pediatric brain traumatic injuries' treatment methodology. Yet, many of these etiologies are not related to trauma; thus, the general treatment methodology must be tailored carefully for each patient. This review focuses on the different possible non-traumatic etiologies that can lead to intracranial hypertension with the relevant modification of each etiology's treatment paradigm based on the current literature.

Pediatric Fronto-Orbital Skull Reconstruction

Craniofacial surgery in children is a highly challenging discipline that requires extensive knowledge of craniofacial anatomy and pathology. Insults to the fronto-orbital skeleton have the potential to inflict significant morbidity and even mortality in patients due to its proximity to the central nervous system. In addition, significant aesthetic and ophthalmologic disturbances frequently accompany these insults. Craniosynostosis, facial trauma, and craniofacial tumors are all pathologies that frequently affect the fronto-orbital region of the craniofacial skeleton in children. While the mechanisms of these pathologies vary greatly, the underlying principles of reconstruction remain the same. Despite the limited data in certain areas of fronto-orbital reconstruction in children, significant innovations have greatly improved its safety and efficacy. It is imperative that further investigations of fronto-orbital reconstruction are undertaken so that craniofacial surgeons may provide optimal care for these patients.

Neuro-Ophthalmological Manifestations of Craniosynostosis: Current Perspectives

Craniosynostosis, a premature fusion of cranial sutures that can be isolated or syndromic, is a congenital defect with a broad, multisystem clinical spectrum. The visual pathway is prone to derangements in patients with craniosynostosis, particularly in syndromic cases, and there is a risk for permanent vision loss when ocular disease complications are not identified and properly treated early in life. Extensive advancements have been made in our understanding of the etiologies underlying vision loss in craniosynostosis over the last 20 years. Children with craniosynostosis are susceptible to interruptions in visual input arising from strabismus, refractive errors, and corneal damage; any of these aberrations can result in understimulation of the visual cortex during childhood neurodevelopment and permanent amblyopia. Elevated intracranial pressure resulting from abnormal cranial shape or volume can lead to papilledema and, ultimately, optic atrophy and vision loss. A pediatric ophthalmologist is a crucial component of the multidisciplinary care team that should be involved in the care of craniosynostosis patients and consistent ophthalmologic follow-up can help minimize the risk to vision posed by such entities as papilledema and amblyopia. This article aims to review the current understanding of neuro-ophthalmological manifestations in craniosynostosis and explore diagnostic and management considerations for the ophthalmologist taking care of these patients.

Correlation between Papilledema and Intracranial Hypertension in Crouzon Syndrome: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Crouzon syndrome represents the most common syndromic craniosynostosis. Ocular complications are frequent, including papilledema and optic atrophy, often related to increased intracranial pressure (ICP). However, there is a poor correlation between ICP normalization and resolution of papilledema. We describe the case of a 6-month-old infant who presented with typical phenotypic features of Crouzon syndrome. Pre- and postoperative ICP monitoring was used. Papilledema persisted despite ICP improvement after decompressive craniectomy. Possible causes of papilledema in this syndromic craniosynostosis are discussed in light of the existing literature.