Possibilities of the ultrasonography in the diagnosis of craniosynostosis in children of the first year of life

Craniosynostosis is a premature closure of the skull sutures, manifested by deformation of the head requiring surgical treatment. An instrumental examination of the state of the cranial sutures is necessary for the differential diagnosis of craniosynostosis and benign positional deformities of the skull in infants. Traditionally, radiation methods, such as X-ray and computed tomography with three-dimensional reconstruction, are used for this purpose. Over the past two decades, we have accumulated a large amount of data on the high information content of the ultrasound method in assessing the state of the cranial sutures in children. Ultrasound examination is widely available, easy to perform, reproducible; it does not require sedation of the patient and does not carry radiation exposure, which is especially important when examining young children. A negative result of the study makes it possible to exclude the diagnosis of craniosynostosis, while the detection of suture fusion serves as an indication for referring the child to visit a surgeon and further examination. The ultrasound method should be more widely used as a screening method for detecting head deformity and suspicion of craniosynostosis in children of the first year of life.

Clomiphene Citrate and Enclomiphene Hydrochloride Exposure Is Associated With Interfrontal Suture Fusion in Zebrafish

Background: The last several decades have witnessed an increase in metopic craniosynostosis incidence. Population-based studies suggest that pharmacological exposure in utero may be responsible. This study examined effects of the fertility drug clomiphene citrate (CC) on calvarial development in an established model for craniofacial development, the zebrafish Danio rerio. Results: Zebrafish larvae were exposed to clomiphene citrate or its isomer enclomiphene for five days at key points during calvarial development. Larvae were then raised to adulthood in normal rearing water. Zebrafish were analyzed using whole-mount skeletal staining. We observed differential effects on survivability, growth and suture formation depending on the treatment. Treatments with CC or enclomiphene at 5.5 mm SL led to increased fusion of the interfrontal suture (p < .01) compared to controls. Conclusions: Exposure to fertility drugs appears to affect development of the cranial vault, specifically the interfrontal suture, in zebrafish. Further research is required to identify the signaling mechanisms at play. This work suggests that fertility drug treatment may contribute to the increased incidence of metopic craniosynostosis observed globally.

A multi-stem cell basis for craniosynostosis and calvarial mineralization

Craniosynostosis is a group of disorders of premature calvarial sutural fusion. An incomplete understanding of the calvarial stem cells (CSCs) that produce fusion-driving osteoblasts has limited the development of non-surgical therapeutic approaches for craniosynostosis. Here we show that both physiologic calvarial mineralization and pathologic calvarial fusion in craniosynostosis reflect the interaction of two separate stem cell lineages; a recently reported CathepsinK (CTSK) lineage CSC (CTSK+ CSC)1 and a separate Discoidin domain-containing receptor 2 (DDR2) lineage stem cell (DDR2+ CSC) identified in this study. Deletion of Twist1, a gene associated with human craniosynostosis2,3, solely in CTSK+ CSCs is sufficient to drive craniosynostosis, however the sites destined to fuse surprisingly display a marked depletion of CTSK+ CSCs and a corresponding expansion of DDR2+ CSCs. This DDR2+ CSC expansion is a direct maladaptive response to CTSK+ CSC depletion, as partial suture fusion occurred after genetic ablation of CTSK+ CSCs. This DDR2+ CSC is a specific fraction of DDR2+ lineage cells that displayed full stemness features, establishing the presence of two distinct stem cell lineages in the sutures, with each population contributing to physiologic calvarial mineralization. DDR2+ CSCs mediate a distinct form of endochondral ossification where an initial cartilage template is formed but the recruitment of hematopoietic marrow is absent. Direct implantation of DDR2+ CSCs into suture sites was sufficient to induce fusion, and this phenotype was prevented by co-transplantation of CTSK+ CSCs. Lastly, the human counterparts of DDR2+ CSCs and CTSK+ CSCs are present in calvarial surgical specimens and display conserved functional properties in xenograft assays. The interaction between these two stem cell populations provides a new biologic interface to modulate calvarial mineralization and suture patency.

Variation in Ontogenetic Facial Suture Fusion Patterns in Catarrhines

Timing of craniofacial suture fusion is important for the determination of demographics and primate ontogeny. There has been much work concerning the timing of fusion of calvarial sutures over the last century, but little comprehensive work focusing on facial sutures. Here we assess the relationships of facial suture fusion across ontogeny among select catarrhines. Fusion timing patterns for 5 facial sutures were examined in 1,599 crania of <i>Homo</i>, <i>Pan</i>, <i>Gorilla</i>, <i>Pongo</i>, Hylobatidae, <i>Papio</i>, and <i>Macaca</i>. Calvarial volume (early ontogeny) and dental eruption (late ontogeny) were used as indicators of stage of development. General linear models, test for homogeneity of slopes, and ANOVA were used to determine differences in timing of fusion by taxon. For calvarial volume, taxonomic groups segregated by regression slopes, with models for <i>Homo</i> indicating sutural fusion throughout ontogeny, <i>Pongo</i>, <i>Macaca</i>, and <i>Papio</i> representing earlier and more complete suture fusion, and <i>Pan</i>, <i>Gorilla</i>, and Hylobatidae indicating very early facial suture fusion. Similar patterns are observed when dental eruption is used for developmental staging. Only <i>Gorilla</i> and Hylobatidae are observed to, generally, fuse all facial suture sites in adulthood. Finally, <i>Homo</i> appears to be unique in its delay and patency of sutures into late ontogeny. The taxonomic patterns of facial suture closure identified in this study likely reflect important evolutionary shifts in facial growth and development in catarrhines.

Unexpected role of SIX1 variants in craniosynostosis: expanding the phenotype of SIX1-related disorders

BackgroundPathogenic heterozygous SIX1 variants (predominantly missense) occur in branchio-otic syndrome (BOS), but an association with craniosynostosis has not been reported.MethodsWe investigated probands with craniosynostosis of unknown cause using whole exome/genome (n=628) or RNA (n=386) sequencing, and performed targeted resequencing of SIX1 in 615 additional patients. Expression of SIX1 protein in embryonic cranial sutures was examined in the Six1nLacZ/+ reporter mouse.ResultsFrom 1629 unrelated cases with craniosynostosis we identified seven different SIX1 variants (three missense, including two de novo mutations, and four nonsense, one of which was also present in an affected twin). Compared with population data, enrichment of SIX1 loss-of-function variants was highly significant (p=0.00003). All individuals with craniosynostosis had sagittal suture fusion; additionally four had bilambdoid synostosis. Associated BOS features were often attenuated; some carrier relatives appeared non-penetrant. SIX1 is expressed in a layer basal to the calvaria, likely corresponding to the dura mater, and in the mid-sagittal mesenchyme.ConclusionCraniosynostosis is associated with heterozygous SIX1 variants, with possible enrichment of loss-of-function variants compared with classical BOS. We recommend screening of SIX1 in craniosynostosis, particularly when sagittal±lambdoid synostosis and/or any BOS phenotypes are present. These findings highlight the role of SIX1 in cranial suture homeostasis.

Pharmacological targeting of KDM6A and KDM6B, as a novel therapeutic strategy for treating craniosynostosis in Saethre-Chotzen syndrome

Background During development, excessive osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal progenitor cells (MPC) within the cranial sutures can lead to premature suture fusion or craniosynostosis, leading to craniofacial and cognitive issues. Saethre-Chotzen syndrome (SCS) is a common form of craniosynostosis, caused by TWIST-1 gene mutations. Currently, the only treatment option for craniosynostosis involves multiple invasive cranial surgeries, which can lead to serious complications. Methods The present study utilized Twist-1 haploinsufficient (Twist-1del/+) mice as SCS mouse model to investigate the inhibition of Kdm6a and Kdm6b activity using the pharmacological inhibitor, GSK-J4, on calvarial cell osteogenic potential. Results This study showed that the histone methyltransferase EZH2, an osteogenesis inhibitor, is downregulated in calvarial cells derived from Twist-1del/+ mice, whereas the counter histone demethylases, Kdm6a and Kdm6b, known promoters of osteogenesis, were upregulated. In vitro studies confirmed that siRNA-mediated inhibition of Kdm6a and Kdm6b expression suppressed osteogenic differentiation of Twist-1del/+ calvarial cells. Moreover, pharmacological targeting of Kdm6a and Kdm6b activity, with the inhibitor, GSK-J4, caused a dose-dependent suppression of osteogenic differentiation by Twist-1del/+ calvarial cells in vitro and reduced mineralized bone formation in Twist-1del/+ calvarial explant cultures. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and Western blot analyses found that GSK-J4 treatment elevated the levels of the Kdm6a and Kdm6b epigenetic target, the repressive mark of tri-methylated lysine 27 on histone 3, on osteogenic genes leading to repression of Runx2 and Alkaline Phosphatase expression. Pre-clinical in vivo studies showed that local administration of GSK-J4 to the calvaria of Twist-1del/+ mice prevented premature suture fusion and kept the sutures open up to postnatal day 20. Conclusion The inhibition of Kdm6a and Kdm6b activity by GSK-J4 could be used as a potential non-invasive therapeutic strategy for preventing craniosynostosis in children with SCS. Graphical abstract Pharmacological targeting of Kdm6a/b activity can alleviate craniosynostosis in Saethre-Chotzen syndrome. Aberrant osteogenesis by Twist-1 mutant cranial suture mesenchymal progenitor cells occurs via deregulation of epigenetic modifiers Ezh2 and Kdm6a/Kdm6b. Suppression of Kdm6a- and Kdm6b-mediated osteogenesis with GSK-J4 inhibitor can prevent prefusion of cranial sutures.

Fusion patterns of minor lateral calvarial sutures on volume-rendered CT reconstructions

OBJECTIVESeveral years ago, the authors treated an infant with sagittal and bilateral parietomastoid suture fusion. This made them curious about the normal course of fusion of “minor” lateral sutures (sphenoparietal, squamosal, parietomastoid). Accordingly, they investigated fusion of these sutures on 3D volume-rendered head CT reconstructions in a series of pediatric trauma patients.METHODSThe authors reviewed all volume-rendered head CT reconstructions obtained from 2010 through mid-2012 at Children’s Hospital Colorado in trauma patients aged 0–21 years. Each sphenoparietal, squamosal, and parietomastoid suture was graded as open, partially fused, or fused. In several individuals, one or more lateral sutures were fused atypically. In these patients, the cephalic index (CI) and cranial vault asymmetry index (CVAI) were calculated. In a separately reported study utilizing the same reconstructions, 21 subjects had fusion of the sagittal suture. Minor lateral sutures were assessed, including these 21 individuals, excluding them, and considering them as a separate subgroup.RESULTSAfter exclusions, 331 scans were reviewed. Typically, the earliest length of the minor lateral sutures to begin fusion was the anterior squamosal suture, often by 2 years of age. The next suture to begin fusion—and first to complete it—was the sphenoparietal. The last suture to begin and complete fusion was the parietomastoid. Six subjects (1.8%) had posterior (without anterior) fusion of one or more squamosal sutures. Six subjects (1.8%) had fusion or near-complete fusion of one squamosal and/or parietomastoid suture when the corresponding opposite suture was open or nearly open. The mean CI and CVAI values in these subjects and in age- and sex-matched controls were normal and not significantly different. No individuals had a fused parietomastoid suture with open squamosal and/or sphenoparietal sutures.CONCLUSIONSFusion and partial fusion of the sphenoparietal, squamosal, and parietomastoid sutures is common in children and adolescents. It usually does not represent craniosynostosis and does not require cranial surgery. The anterior squamosal suture is often the earliest length of these sutures to fuse. Fusion then spreads anteriorly to the sphenoparietal suture and posteriorly to the parietomastoid. The sphenoparietal suture is generally the earliest minor lateral suture to complete fusion, and the parietomastoid is the last. Atypical patterns of fusion include posterior (without anterior) squamosal suture fusion and asymmetrical squamosal and/or parietomastoid suture fusion. However, these atypical fusion patterns may not lead to atypical head shapes or a need for surgery.

Surgically-assisted rapid maxillary expansion (SARME): indications, planning and treatment of severe maxillary deficiency in an adult patient

ABSTRACT Introduction: Maxillary deficiency, also called transverse deficiency of the maxilla, may be associated with posterior crossbite, as well as with other functional changes, particularly respiratory. In adult patients, because of bone maturation and the midpalatal suture fusion, rapid maxillary expansion has to be combined with a previous surgical procedure to release the areas of resistance of the maxilla. This procedure is known as surgically-assisted rapid maxillary expansion (SARME). Objective: This study discusses the indications, characteristics and effects of SARME, and presents a clinical case of transverse and sagittal skeletal maxillary discrepancy treated using SARME and orthodontic camouflage.