The Craniosynostoses

Abstract

The craniosynostoses are serious abnormalities of infancy and childhood. The term craniosynostosis (CS) indicates a cranial or craniofacial dysmorphism characterized by premature closure of one or more sutures of the cranial vault and/or base. This term was introduced by Sear in 1937 [1], but the recognition of these affections has been ascribed to Virchow [2], who first used the term CS. Virchow codified the general rules to explain cranial deformities, based on a concept of growth interruption of the skull perpendicular to the suture involved and consequent compensatory growth of the cranium parallel to the “pathological” suture. This concept, widely known as “Virchow’s law,” remains valid after 150 years, even though knowledge concerning the epidemiology, etiology, pathogenesis, and clinical/surgical therapy has dramatically changed and increased, especially during the last 20 years. Recently acquired genetic notions indicate that the basic concepts, as well as the medical-surgical approach to these pathologies, will radically change in the future.