New... and lost!

[pollyb]

Hi all,

Mother of 6 month old boy & worried. Have always noticed a slight ridge on his forehead but recently it is becoming more prominent. A friend remarked on it yesterday & having done a little bit of research on the internet (not always a good thing!) it does look similar to a lot of other cases on here. I have attached photos & would welcome any advice. I have a meeting with his paedatrician on Thursday. I live in France so having to do it all in a foreign language will be a challenge and a half... What questions do I need to be asking so that I can look up the medical-jargon translation beforehand. Is it a "metopic ridge"? What do I need to push for, if anything, CT scan etc?

Also is it normal that nobody has picked anything up until now? We see the paedatrician every month & he always measures his head but nothing has been mentioned. Is this something that may get worse or is each case different? So many questions...

MANY thanks in advance ;-)

[Sophia's_mom]

Hi and welcome to CK. Your son is adorable!!

I am by no means a professional, but I would say your son has a Metopic ridge and not Cranio. A ridge can be very common and no cause for concern, typically the ridge will go away or become less distinct as your little one grows. From your birds eye view picture, I don't see any trig (triangle shape), that would be the main tell-tale sign of cranio. Also it looks like he has a nice brow line and no pinching.

If you have concerns still after meeting with the pedi you may want to see a Craniofacial surgeon, but I really don't think you have anything to worry about. Good luck with the appointment and let us know how it goes.

[pollyb]

Thanks so much Tessa, really good to get your reply ;-)

Would a scan show one way or the other if it is/is ever going to be a problem? And what is it exactly anyway? The bones have fused together too early? He still has his soft spot if that is any help! Will keep you posted & thanks again!

[Sophia's_mom]

The Metopic suture is the first one to close up (sometime within the first year) and sometimes when it is closing a ridge can form. If the suture had closed too early then there will typically be other signs of cranio (trig and/or pinching). I'm really hoping some other Metopic moms will jump in here soon, I'm not the best at explaining.

A CT scan will show you if the surture is open or closed now but there is no way to know how things will continue to grow and change.

[*Jessica*]

Welcome to CK! My son had surgery for metopic cranio over 3 years ago. Metopic cranio is when the suture fuses WAY too early, and the head shape is changed because of it. This usually happens prior to birth...but can happen right after. A metopic ridge, as Tessa pointed out, forms when the suture closes, but within the range of normal...it is caused by just extra bone being layed over the suture, forming the ridge. They generally go away overtime, as the skull lays new bone and dissolves old bone. Feel free to look at the pictures in my album on my profile to see the triangular shape of the forehead that cranio presents.

As for your appointment, I would bring pictures of metopic cranio and metopic ridges, to show her your concern. Sometimes, pedi's aren't always well versed in craino and can use some assistance in seeing the issue you are concerned about. Eitherway, I suspect you are dealing with a ridge and that it will smooth out over the next 5 years or so...but I am not a doctor, so it is good you are seeking professional opinions! :)

[BabyGabey]

Welcome to Ck! I agree with Tessa and Jessica about just being a ridge. Best of luck at your appointment and hopefully the Dr. feels the same!

[pollyb]

So, took Jessica's advice & went armed with photos, guns ablazing ready to fight our corner & the doc was great, no persuading needed! Agreed I was right to be concerned, admitted she knew next to nothing about this, & immediately called the paed neurosurgeon in the next town from us who unfortunatley is on holiday until next week. So find out next stage next week. Pleased somebody more specialised will be taking it from here... Thanks for all messages/support, will update his progress on here as & when ... ;-)

[Sophia's_mom]

No price is too high for peace of mind. Way to go mamma!

[jjmc123]

So glad you're making progress! It'll be hard to wait the week, but you're headed in the right direction.

[Alan Gore]

Hi there and welcome to CK. Great photos of Avery cute baby Boy! I can see a ridge an no metopic. My 5 year old had this and it's all but disappeared on it's own. My 18 month son Daniel had metopic and had trig and unfortunately had have surgery... Although he is doing great now! I cannot see any metopic cranio and my small knowledge would say there is no cranio in your son. However, always good to get it checked out by the experts. Best wishes. Al