title: Craniosynostosis of the lambdoid suture.
abstract: Craniosynostosis affecting the lambdoid suture is uncommon. The definition of lambdoid craniosynostosis solely applies to those cases demonstrating true suture obliteration, similar to other forms of craniosynostosis. In patients presenting with posterior plagiocephaly, true lambdoid craniosynostosis must be differentiated from the much more common positional molding. It can occur in a unilateral form, a bilateral form, or as part of a complex craniosynostosis. In children with craniofacial syndromes, synostosis of the lambdoid suture most often is seen within the context of a pansynostotic picture. Chiari malformations are commonly seen in multisutural and syndromic types of craniosynostosis that affect the lambdoid sutures. Posterior cranial vault remodeling is recommended to provide adequate intracranial volume to allow for brain growth and to normalize the skull shape. Although many techniques have been described for the correction of lambdoid synostosis, optimal outcomes may result from those techniques based on the concept of occipital advancement.
authors.affiliation: VCU Center for Craniofacial Care, Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, VCU School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia ; Department of Pediatrics; VCU School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia.
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Rhodes
authors.affiliation: VCU Center for Craniofacial Care, Department of Neurosurgery; VCU School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia.
authors.forename: Gary W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Tye
authors.affiliation: The Craniofacial Center at Medical City Children's Hospital; Dallas, Texas.
authors.forename: Jeffrey A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Fearon
keywords: Mercedes Benz pattern craniosynostosis; lambdoid craniosynostosis; posterior plagiocephaly