Coronal Synostosis vs. Crossed Plagiocephaly

Coronal Synostosis vs. Crossed Plagiocephaly

Left picture: The diagnosis is a right-sided coronal synostosis. Right picture: The diagnosis is a crossed plagiocephaly, which is often due to an abnormal posture or position; for example, in congenital muscular or postural torticollis. Often, the parents and the family doctor recognize at first the posterior plagiocephaly which in fact often turns out to be a crossed plagiocephaly on close inspection. Their recognition speaks against a unilateral coronal synostosis.

A flattening of the right or left frontal contour is visible in both infants of the third trimenon; it is called ´anterior plagiocephaly´. Left picture: The eyebrow is shifted in a lateral and cranial direction, and a dell is recognizable above the brow on the right side. Right picture: The eyebrow has a regular and horizontal course; nevertheless, the right back head is more flattened than the left anterior front. The former is called ´posterior plagiocephaly´.