The persistence of an open anterior fontanel in a 4-year-old girl

Childs Nerv Syst. 2005 Jan;21(1):83-5. doi: 10.1007/s00381-004-0918-2. Epub 2004 Mar 12.

Abstract

Case report: A 3-year-old girl was transferred to our hospital with a history of persistent open anterior fontanel. The patient was conscious and had no neurological deficits. Upon arrival, the patient appeared normal for her age and had no defects or anomalies other than the aforementioned lesion. The initial skull X-ray and CT were significant for a 20-mm open anterior fontanel. All other findings were normal.

Outcome: After a follow-up period of 1.5 years, the anterior fontanel was still open, with a slight decrease in size to 15 mm. Delayed closure of the anterior fontanel without intracranial hypertension is associated with various disorders. The pathogenesis of the current patient's condition is unclear. Due to the patient's normal appearance and stable neurological status, we will follow her conservatively for any changes in condition.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Brain / anatomy & histology
  • Brain / growth & development
  • Cephalometry / methods
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cranial Sutures / abnormalities*
  • Cranial Sutures / growth & development
  • Cranial Sutures / pathology
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Neurologic Examination
  • Physical Examination
  • Skull / abnormalities*
  • Skull / growth & development
  • Skull / pathology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods