X‐rays had little value in diagnosing children's abnormal skull shapes, and primary care clinicians should refer concerns to specialist teams. (3rd December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: O'Sullivan, Hugh; Bracken, Shirley; Doyle, Jodie; Twomey, Eilish; Murray, Dylan J.; Kyne, Louise
• Is Part Of: Acta pædiatrica. Volume 110:Number 4(2021)
• Page Start: 1330
• Page End: 1334
• Publication Date: 2020-12-03
• Subjects: abnormal skull shape -- craniosynostosis -- craniofacial surgery -- deformational plagiocephaly -- skull X‐rays; Pediatrics -- Periodicals; Pediatrics; 618.92
• DOI: 10.1111/apa.15686
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0803-5253

Abstract

Abstract: Aim: This study examined the consensus between the primary care radiological diagnosis and specialist clinical diagnosis of abnormal skull shapes in children. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of children treated at the National Paediatric Craniofacial Centre at Children's Health Ireland, Dublin, Ireland. Group 1 were referred by primary care colleagues concerned about suspected abnormal skull shapes from 1 January 2015 to 30 May 2017. These included cases where they sought specialist confirmation that the skull shape was normal. Group 2 underwent surgery for craniosynostosis from 1 January 2011 to 25 October 2017. The primary care skull X‐ray reports were examined for both groups to see whether they matched the specialist diagnosis. Results: Group 1 comprised 300 children, and 59 (20%) had pre‐referral skull X‐rays. The primary care X‐ray reports and specialist diagnoses agreed in 44 (75%) cases, including 19 (43%) who had a normal skull shape. Group 2 comprised 274 children, and 63 (23%) had pre‐referral skull X‐rays. In this group, there was agreement in 41 (65%) diagnoses; however, the primary care X‐ray reports did not diagnose craniosynostosis for the remaining 22 (35%) children. Conclusion: X‐rays were of little value in diagnosing abnormal skull shapes, especially craniosynostosis, and primary care clinicians should refer concerns to specialist teams.