Morphology of a 19th century adult male skull with non-treated hydrocephalus - a case report

Folia Med Cracov. 2013;53(3):43-50.

Abstract

This report presents the craniofacial morphology of a skull afflicted with hydrocephalus, belonging to an adult male who lived in the 19th century in Vienna. The volume of the skull (2022 cm3) exceeds normal capacity of a male skull which is estimated to be 1500 cm3. Diameters of the neurocranium and head circumference of the specimen differ significantly from normative values, while the facial diameters remain in normal range of variation. Characteristic features of the investigated skull are numerous accessory bones and sutures of the neurocranium. Overall the morphology of the cranial bones suggests that the male suffered from congenital hydrocephalus.

Keywords: cranial development; craniofacial morphology; hydrocephalus; skull.