title: Metopic synostosis.
abstract: Premature closure of the metopic suture results in a growth restriction of the frontal bones, which leads to a skull malformation known as trigonocephaly. Over the course of recent decades, its incidence has been rising, currently making it the second most common type of craniosynostosis. Treatment consists of a cranioplasty, usually preformed before the age of 1 year. Metopic synostosis is linked with an increased level of neurodevelopmental delays. Theories on the etiology of these delays range from a reduced volume of the anterior cranial fossa to intrinsic malformations of the brain. This paper aims to provide an overview of this entity by giving an update on the epidemiology, etiology, evolution of treatment, follow-up, and neurodevelopment of metopic synostosis.
authors.affiliation: Dutch Craniofacial Unit, Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, Sophia Children's Hospital, Erasmus Medical Center, Dr Molewaterplein 60, 3015GJ, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. j.vandermeulen@erasmusmc.nl
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: van der Meulen
mesh_terms: D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D003398:Craniosynostoses / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000266:history / Q000601:surgery*; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000209:etiology; D005624:Frontal Bone / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D049672:History, 19th Century; D006801:Humans