Diagram of the fontanelles and sutures in the skull. The sagittal suture runs from front to back, the two coronal sutures run down the sides, and the metopic suture runs down the front of the forhead. Early closure of any one or more of these sutures will result in an abnormal head shape, as shown below. These children present with an abnormal head shape that varies according to the suture involved. Those with sagittal suture involvement have long, thin skulls, while those with coronal suture involvement have a flat, short head on one or both sides, depending on whether one or both coronal sutures are involved.
Children born with metopic craniosynostosis have narrow, pointed foreheads.
Diagram showing scaphocephaly , a long, narrow head shape, often due to premature closure of the sagittal suture. Surgical treatment involves removing bone from the midline sagittal suture. Surgical treatmant involves removing bone from the affected coronal suture. Diagram showing brachycephaly , a short, wide head, often caused by premature closure of both coronal sutures. Surgical treatment involves removing bone from both coronal sutures.