Aims and Objectives: Although syndromic craniosynostosis is one of the causes for early closure of the anterior fontanelle, there is no literature on the incidence and causes of fontanelle closure in isolated single-suture craniosynostosis. The objective of this study was to review the incidence of fontanelle closure by a wormian bone in isolated, nonsyndromic sagittal craniosynostosis. Materials and Methods: Intraoperative records of 100 consecutive children under 1 year of age, operated for isolated sagittal synostosis over a 14-year period (1987– 2000), were reviewed to identify the presence of a wormian bone closing the anterior fontanelle. Results: The median age at surgery was 4.2 months with a range of 1.9–11.7 months. Intraoperatively, a wormian bone was seen replacing the anterior fontanelle in 4 cases giving an incidence of 4%. Conclusions: A wormian bone can occupy the anterior fontanelle in children with isolated sagittal craniosynostosis giving the appearance of a ‘closed fontanelle’.

Keywords:
Wormian bone, Craniosynostosis, Sutural bone, Sagittal craniosynostosis, Fontanelle
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© 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel
2006
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