Date of Award

11-23-2009

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Medical Doctor (MD)

First Advisor

John A. Persing, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Abstract

Over the last decade, physicians have noted a rise in the prevalence of plagiocephaly. This sudden increase combined with the variability in presentation of infant head deformities makes the management of these cases often difficult. Currently, assessment for treatment is solely based largely on subjective determination of the severity of the patients skull malformation. Existing cephalometric techniques, such as external caliper measurements are commonly used, however these technique still contain inaccuracies, due to movement of an infant during measurement, soft tissue compression by the calipers, and lack of precise defined landmarks. (10) Given that no type of normalized measurement exists to identify objectively the severity of a patients skull deformity, the grading and selection of treatment modality has been relegated largely to experienced plastic surgeons and neurosurgeons. We report of a novel measurement that utilizes both CT scan and digital images combined with basic geometry to determine, objectively, the severity of an infants skull deformity, enabling all physicians to better decide what therapeutic intervention to employ.

Comments

This thesis is restricted to Yale network users only. This thesis is permanently embargoed from public release.

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