Brachycephaly (human)

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Brachycephaly in humans or short brachycephaly (from ancient Greek brachys "short" and kephale "head") means Kurzköpfigkeit or Rundköpfigkeit that is a wide head shape with a shorter length. There are different head shapes: short skull (brachycephalus), middle skull (mesocephalus) and long skull (dolichocephalus), the frequency of which differs in different populations ( phenotypic variation ). Studies of head shapes play a role in anthropology and paleontology , for example in studies of the ancestry of modern humans (compare also brachycephaly in domestic animals). Karolyi's method of measurement is widespread. The largest head width is set in relation to the largest head length as the length-width index (LBI), today mostly referred to as the "skull index " (English cranial index ).

Skull measurements were also abused in the context of the National Socialist racial ideology . However, they are still used today to differentiate between normal variability and incipient pathological changes. For this purpose, skull measurements are already routinely used during ultrasound examinations in the womb.

Brachycephaly has a length-latitude index of 80 to 85, dolichocephaly a length-latitude index of 70 to 75. Within this range, there are normal skull configurations that are familiar, but the preferred sleeping position - mostly lying on the back - lead to the flattening of the posterior skullcap.

Diseased skull deformations must be distinguished from this normal variance: Forced or fixed positioning in the womb or as an infant can lead to a deformation of the skull that can also regress again. Pathological changes can also lead to more pronounced deformations of the skull, which leave the index range mentioned at the beginning. Premature closure of the cranial sutures and metabolic disorders with softening of the bone are common.

Brachycephalus

The diagnosis of brachycephalus is understood to mean a pathological shortening of the skull, usually on the floor of a coronary suture synostosis , premature closure of the coronary sutures (see also craniosynostosis ). The timing and extent of the disorder as well as effects on other structures, especially the base of the skull with vessels and nerves, are decisive for prognosis and treatment .

In addition to the clinical examination, x-rays of the skull in two planes and, if necessary, CT examinations are also used diagnostically. Much can be achieved therapeutically through suitable early positioning and / or physiotherapy. In the case of synostoses, surgical reopening of the suture is usually necessary.

literature

  • W. Schuster, D Färber: Children's radiology. Springer, 1996.
  • J. Hellinger: Measurement methods in skeletal radiology. Thieme, 1995.
  • W. Frommhold et al. (Ed.): Schinz, Radiological Diagnostics in Clinic and Practice. 7th edition Thieme 1986.
  • Helmut Wurm: The decrease in the mean body height and the rounding of the head in Central Europe from the late Middle Ages to modern times. In: Würzburg medical history reports. Volume 14, 1996, pp. 325-358.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Helmut Wurm : Constitution and Nutrition, Part IV: Body heights and length indices in the early medieval Nordic and Germanic tribal associations during the migration period. In: Homo. Volume 40, 1989, pp. 186-213.
  2. ^ A b László von Károlyi : Anthropometry: Basics of anthropological methods. Fischer UTB, Stuttgart 1971, ISBN 978-3-437-10234-9 , pp. ??.
  3. ↑ Helmut Wurm: The decrease in the mean body height and the rounding of the head in Central Europe from the late Middle Ages to modern times. In: Würzburg medical history reports. Volume 14, 1996, pp. 325-358, here pp. 331 ff.

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