by Suman Gupta
Early diagnosis of craniosynostosis can prevent the need for open-skull surgery in babies
Navi Mumbai, 17 October 2024: Endoscopic surgery for craniosynostosis, a rare condition where an infant’s skull bones fuse prematurely, was successfully performed at Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai. The groundbreaking procedure was performed on a 3-month-old infant by Dr. Sumeet Pawar, Consultant Neurosurgeon at Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai. The rare condition, which occurs in 1 in 2000 births, restricts the growth of the brain. Early detection is crucial, as timely intervention can prevent the need for more invasive surgeries later in life.
The young baby was brought to the hospital as the parents noticed that the infant’s facial features, especially the eyebrows, were not symmetrical. Upon evaluation, the infant was diagnosed with craniosynostosis, a rare congenital condition where the infant’s skull bone fuse too soon, restricting the skull’s ability to grow normally, and leading to an abnormal head shape. If not corrected, this can lead to increased pressure on the developing brain, causing developmental delays and neurological issues. Timely surgical intervention can correct the skull shape, relieve pressure on the brain, and allow normal growth and development.
Dr. Sumeet Pawar, Consultant Neurosurgery, Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai, said, “Early diagnosis is crucial, especially in the first three months of life, as it allows us to perform the procedure endoscopically between 3-6 months of age with just a 2.5 cm incision. However, if the diagnosis is delayed and the baby is between 6-9 months old, the child will require open skull surgery, involving a much larger 20 cm incision. At such a young age, this becomes a major surgery with higher risks. Our goal is to operate as early as possible to avoid the need for open skull surgery and ensure a safer, less invasive correction. We are very happy with the successful outcome and hope this paves the way for more such interventions on infants with this condition in the region. The procedure resulted in minimal blood loss and reduced the infant’s stay in the ICU to just one night.”
Following the surgery, the child will be fitted with a custom 3D-printed helmet designed to guide skull growth and correct its shape over the next two years. Regular follow-up visits will ensure the helmet is adjusted appropriately to facilitate near-normal skull development.
Mr Mrigendra Prata, father of the baby from Bhopal shared, “We noticed unusual facial features in our baby and immediately began searching for the right expert. It was during our consultation with Dr. Sumeet that we learned about craniosynostosis. We didn’t want to risk delaying treatment, as it could have affected our baby’s growth and development. Choosing endoscopic skull surgery was the best decision, and we’re amazed at the remarkable recovery our baby has made. We are deeply grateful to Dr. Sumeet and Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai, for giving our child a new lease on life.”
