To identify skull-base growth patterns in Crouzon syndrome, we hypothesized premature minor suture fusion restricts occipital bone development, secondarily limiting foramen magnum expansion. Skull-base suture closure degree and cephalometric measurements were retrospectively studied using preoperative computed tomography (CT) scans and multiple linear regression analysis. Evaluation of multi-institutional CT images and 3D reconstructions from Wake Forest’s Craniofacial Imaging Database (WFCID). Sixty preoperative patients with Crouzon syndrome under 12 years-old were selected from WFCID. The control group included 60 age- and sex-matched patients without craniosynostosis or prior craniofacial surgery. None 2D and 3D cephalometric measurements. 3D volumetric evaluation of the basioccipital, exo-occipital, and supraoccipital bones revealed decreased growth in Crouzon syndrome, attributed solely to premature minor suture fusion. Spheno-occipital (β = −398.75; P < .05) and petrous-occipital (β = −727.5; P < .001) suture fusion reduced growth of the basioccipital bone; lambdoid suture (β = −14 723.1; P < .001) and occipitomastoid synchondrosis (β = −16 419.3; P < .001) fusion reduced growth of the supraoccipital bone; and petrous-occipital suture (β = −673.3; P < .001), anterior intraoccipital synchondrosis (β = −368.47; P < .05), and posterior intraoccipital synchondrosis (β = −6261.42; P < .01) fusion reduced growth of the exo-occipital bone. Foramen magnum morphology is restricted in Crouzon syndrome but not directly caused by early suture fusion. Premature minor suture fusion restricts the volume of developing occipital bones providing a plausible mechanism for observed foramen magnum anomalies.

Background: Frontal bossing is a prominent forehead feature common in sagittal craniosynostosis (SC). Assessment of severity of frontal bossing is limited by the use of serial CT imaging or complex computer programing. Three-dimensional measurements of cranial surface morphology provide a radiation-free alternative for assessing cranial shape. This study describes the creation of a frontal bossing index (FBI), a novel tool using surface morphology to assess the frontal severity in patients with SC. Methods: Surface imaging from CT scans or 3D photographs of 359 individuals with sagittal craniosynostosis and 224 normocephalic individuals were compared to identify differences in frontal morphology. Cartesian grids were created on each individual’s surface mesh using equidistant axial and sagittal planes yielding 33 unique points of intersection on the forehead. Area under the curve (AUC) analyses were performed to identify frontal points with the greatest discrepancy between groups. Results: All points in the SC population had significantly greater protrusion than corresponding points in the control group. The largest differences were located in the superior lateral regions. Combining the superior- and lateral-most points gave the maximal AUC (0.9707) and was therefore selected to generate the frontal bossing index (FBI). The FBI distinguished between the 2 groups with a sensitivity of 93.5% and specificity of 92.9%. Conclusions: The frontal bossing index is a useful tool for evaluating the severity of the frontal region in patients with SC, comparing outcomes of differing surgical techniques, and tracking frontal changes in individuals over time, without the need for radiation.

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Background: There is debate on the utility of a preoperative Allen test or ultrasound before radial forearm free flap (RFFF) harvest. This study sought to evaluate correlations between preoperative testing and donor-site morbidity. Methods: A survey of plastic surgery and otolaryngology RFFF patients was conducted at a Midwestern academic center. The modified Cold Intolerance Symptom Severity (modCISS) and Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QDASH) instruments were administered. A retrospective chart review was performed to assess perioperative factors. Results: Of 212 RFFFs completed over 7 years, 144 patients were contacted, and 71 patients completed the survey (33% response rate). Preoperative Allen test was negative in 92% of patients (65 of 71). There was no statistical association between Allen test and duplex ultrasound findings (P = 0.19). Cold intolerance screening was positive on 20% of donor arms (14 of 71), with an average positive modCISS score of 39.0 ± 14.7. Disability was reported on the QDASH by 76% of patients (54 of 71), with an average score of 21.0 ± 22.3. There was no statistical correlation between preoperative Allen test or ultrasound classification and modCISS or QDASH score. There was a borderline positive correlation between modCISS and QDASH scores that did not reach statistical significance (r = 0.22, P = 0.067). Operative characteristics also did not predict modCISS or QDASH scores. Conclusions: Following RFFF harvest, donor extremity cold intolerance is reported in 20% of patients, and extremity-related disability is reported in the majority of patients. Preoperative ultrasound and physical examination findings are not predictive of morbidity.

Background: Endoscopically assisted craniofacial surgery (EACS) has numerous advantages over traditional, open approaches, such as fronto-orbital advancement in treating nonsyndromic craniosynostosis. However, several articles report high reoperation rates in syndromic patients treated with EACS. This meta-analysis and review examines undesirable outcome rates (UORs), defined as reoperation or Whitaker category III/IV, in syndromic patients undergoing primary EACS compared with procedures that actively expand the cranial vault. Methods: PubMed and Embase were searched in June 2022 to identify all articles reporting primary reoperation or Whitaker outcomes for syndromic patients undergoing cranial vault expanding surgery or suturectomy. A meta-analysis of proportions was performed comparing UORs, and a trim-and-fill adjustment method was used to validate sensitivity and assess publication bias. Results: A total of 721 articles were screened. Five EACS articles (83 patients) and 22 active approach articles (478 patients) met inclusion criteria. Average UORs for EACS and active approaches were 26% (14%–38%) and 20% (13%–28%), respectively (P = 0.18). Reoperation occurred earlier in EACS patients (13.7 months postprimary surgery versus 37.1 months for active approaches, P = 0.003). Relapse presentations and reason for reoperation were also reviewed. Subjectively, EACS UORs were higher in all syndromes except Apert, and Saethre-Chotzen patients had the highest UOR for both approaches. Conclusions: There was no statistically significant increase in UORs among syndromic patients treated with EACS compared with traditional approaches, although EACS patients required revision significantly sooner. Uncertainties regarding the long-term efficacy of EACS in children with syndromic craniosynostosis should be revisited as more data become available.